Last dance saloon

DRINK IN THIS FINAL GLIMPSE OF GREATS

- JEREMY CROSS

FOR some of the true greats of the game it will be their final stand - one last dance on the biggest stage of all.

How long these respective goodbyes last depend on a host of things, including how the superstars perform themselves along with their teams, and whatever fate has left in store for them.

Perhaps someone like Lionel Messi would laugh at the prospect of being behest to the footballing Gods - because he's regarded as one of them himself after all.

Or maybe someone like Cristiano Ronaldo will blame everyone but himself should Portugal not grant him the sort of farewell he will undoubtedly think his genius deserves.