Three legends, three Ballon d’Or winners and one remarkable link across 20 years of FIFA World Cup football. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Luka Modrić are the only players at the 2026 tournament who also played in 2006. Their careers have stretched through tactical eras, coaching cycles and rule tweaks, yet all three are still shaping games. Guillermo Ochoa was on Mexico’s bench at Germany 2006 but did not play, so he misses this specific club. With form trackers, World Cup logs and the Sofascore Rating, here is how the trio arrive at a true last dance.

Cristiano Ronaldo: from 2006 spark to 2026 finisher

Ronaldo’s World Cup journey began in 2006 with 6 matches and 1 goal for Portugal, good for a 7.18 tournament Sofascore Rating. He then posted 7.60 in 2010, 7.30 in 2014 and 7.90 in 2018, his most productive tournament by output with 4 goals in Russia. In 2022 he added another strike, ending with a 6.54 average as Portugal retooled its attack around younger runners. Across those five editions he has played 22 World Cup matches, scoring 8 goals with 2 assists. The numbers show a shift from high-volume ball carrying to penalty-box efficiency and set-piece threat.

His recent form line reflects that evolution. Over the last year his monthly Sofascore Ratings mostly sat in the 7.2 to 7.9 range, with one dip to 6.4 during a lighter stretch. He still gets shots away early in games and remains a dependable penalty taker. Portugal’s opener in 2026 is against DR Congo, a matchup where his movement between center-backs will be key. Expect fewer touches than in his 2010 peak, but smarter ones. On Sofascore, his shot map and xG trend still point to a player opponents must track every minute.

Lionel Messi: champion returns with elite numbers

Messi’s first World Cup minutes came in 2006. He played 3 matches, scoring 1 and assisting 1, for a 7.70 Sofascore Rating. His 2010 campaign brought no goals but an 8.12 average, then 4 goals in 2014 with a 7.89 as Argentina reached the final. In 2018 he added 1 goal and 2 assists at an 8.10 clip. The masterclass arrived in 2022: 7 goals, 3 assists and an 8.53 tournament average as Argentina lifted the trophy. Total World Cup ledger before 2026: 26 matches, 13 goals and 8 assists.

What about his current shape? Month-to-month Sofascore Ratings in the last year mostly lived between 8.0 and 9.3, the kind of consistency few achieve at 38. His chance creation remains elite, but the shot volume is also healthy thanks to clever arrival into the box. Set plays still tilt matches in Argentina’s favor. Up first in 2026 is Algeria, where tight low blocks are likely. Messi’s recent trend suggests more progressive passes into the area and the usual whip on direct free-kicks. On Sofascore’s momentum and pass-network views, he remains the hub that stabilizes everything around him.

Luka Modrić: Croatia’s metronome keeps perfect time

Modrić’s World Cup debut in 2006 lasted 28 minutes across two cameos, earning a 6.95 Sofascore Rating. He became the heartbeat of Croatia by 2014 and 2018, when he logged 694 minutes, 2 goals, 1 assist and a 7.63 average while leading a run to the final. In 2022 he played 656 minutes at 7.39, again steering Croatia to the sharp end with tempo control and field coverage. His career World Cup totals before 2026 read 19 matches, 2 goals and 1 assist, but that undersells his progressive passing and press resistance that open doors for teammates.

Form-wise, the last 12 months show monthly Sofascore Ratings hovering between 6.6 and 7.5. It suits his role: fewer box entries, more switches and third-man combinations. He still profiles as Croatia’s best carrier through the first line, and his defensive intelligence saves legs across the unit. Croatia begin against England, where Modrić’s rhythm and dead-ball delivery will matter. Even when legs get heavy, he wins by timing and angles. Listed with AC Milan through June 2026 on his Sofascore profile, he brings club-season sharpness and the usual calm to a young Croatian midfield.

What makes this trio unique in 2026

Longevity is one thing, impact is another. All three still shape matches in complementary ways: Messi as the chance magnet, Modrić as the controller and Ronaldo as the finisher. Their World Cup rating curves also tell a story of adaptation. Messi peaked latest, Ronaldo exploded in 2018, and Modrić has been a subtle constant since 2018. Argentina, Croatia and Portugal each open with very different tactical tasks, but leadership might be the shared advantage.

From Germany 2006 to North America 2026, this is a living timeline of modern football. You can track every minute, action and Sofascore Rating trend on Sofascore as the tournament unfolds. However the journey ends, we’re watching three careers close a rare circle. Not many get a last dance. Even fewer still lead the music.