Football is a team game, not an individual show. But the team desperately needs some top players, even though his level below Messi and Ronaldo can at least make a difference in the game. Ronaldo and Messi are legends that will never be forgotten in football, after Ronaldo and Messi are no longer (retired) other players will appear. The Qatar World Cup became their last competition in the most prestigious football stage, after that they were no longer possible to appear in this quadrennial event because of their age.
I really feel sad when I think that I will never get to see Ronaldo and Messi in the world cup again. New players will emerge next time (and 2026 world cup is going to feature 48 teams), but I don't think that anyone will be able to match these two. Qatar 2022 will be the last (as well as first) world cup for Gareth Bale as well. I feel sad, but at least he got a chance to play in the world cup this time. Much luckier than Goran Pandeev, who never got an opportunity. This time a lot of good players will retire, including Luka Modric, Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller.
The World Cup is an opportunity to show skills for young players who have the potential for a bright future, they will show their talent to steal the attention of elite clubs in Europe. Players will change over time, because they can't fight the movement of age. We used to be able to watch the beautiful game of Ronaldinho, after that it was Messi and Ronaldo. Maybe in the future other talented players can be born to replace their role. Losing the two gridiron legends will not reduce the interest of football lovers in the 2026 world cup, because generations of players will continue to change.