Keep in mind though that there have always been exceptions especially when it comes to the goalkeeper position. Buffon and other keepers have been around their forties or close to it and still participated in the big tournaments. I can see Neuer still being around in four years from now. Maybe he isn't first choice anymore by then, but he could still be a part of the team. That might also be the case for Muller, but it all comes down to their physical fitness and whether they are still playing by then anyway. But yes, this World Cup will be the last one for some of the GOATs. Hopefully we can enjoy some strong performances by Messi, Ronaldo and all the rest.
Here, we have nothing new because it's going into cycle many great players now in history books with their play and achievements so same going to happen with these legendary players as well because no one can stop time span and these players from coming older as we lost them surely we will have many new names even many are under development, but few are giving their best like Mbappé, Neymar and Haaland they could be new players to talk about and having something good for new generation kids.
Messi and Ronaldo were unique as we watch them for many years, and now it's time for them to give up and replaced with new ones, so we feel they are the greatest player in soccer history even we have too many names and performances from many legendary players in past as well.
Most chances Neuer are not going to stay here for next four years because he is not like we have Buffon or few others those give their best until age of 40 most chances he will be replaced soon with some better one.
I would even take a bet and say that Neuer will still be playing in four years from now! I don't know whether he would still be the first goalkeeper at the next World Cup, but I do believe that he will still be an active professional goalkeeper.
I think we have seen a real epoch in sports. In soccer as well as elsewhere. I really doubt that we will anytime soon be witnessing two players that in 12 out of 13 years win the world soccer player title. Messi and Ronaldo won it in 10 consecutive years. That is just hard to imagine even when there is Mbappe and Haaland out there right now. There were so many factors involved, not least the fact that Ronaldo and Messi stayed healthy all the time. It just needs one major injury and you can't win the trophy anymore during a particular season or maybe even two seasons. They didn't have those injuries and they scored like monsters nonstop. I think that was one example that could go down in history as once in a lifetime from a spectator's point of view.