So after 64 matches in 30 days, the World Cup is over, and many of the headlines from the tournament involved a younger generation of players, while some of the biggest names from the last decade-plus may have appeared at football's most prestigious competition for the last time. Damion Jones explains.  

Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta led La Roja to victory at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and helped his side go undefeated in Group B this year. But when the 34-year-old subbed in off the bench in the 67th minute of their clash with tournament hosts Russia, in the round of 16, the eventual loss in a penalty kick shootout would be his swansong, as he then retired from the national team, but will continue his club career with Japanese squad Vissel Kobe. His former Barcelona mate Lionel Messi stepped up for Argentina late in qualifying, and would again come through in the Albiceleste's Group D finale against Nigeria by scoring the opening goal in a 2-1 win that secured passage to the knockout phase. That made the 31-year-old just the third player to score in three different editions of the global showpiece.

The Little Magician added a pair of assists in the South American squad's last 16 contest against France, but a 4-3 defeat means the 2014 runner-up has fallen short again, on football's biggest stage. Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest-ever competitor to record a hat-trick in the quadrennial tournament, helping Portugal grab a 3-all draw versus the Spaniards to open pool play. The 33-year-old then banged in the sole goal in A Seleccao's 1-0 victory over Iran, but missed a spot kick in their 1-1 draw with Morocco. CR7 and the 2016 European champions were then eliminated at the first rung of the knockouts, following a 2-1 ousting by Uruguay. The five-time Ballon d'Or recipient has since turned his attention to the club side of things by, finalizing a 100 million euro transfer from Real Madrid to Juventus, the most expensive move ever, among his age bracket.

CRISTIANO RONALDO PORTUGAL FORWARD "Usually players at my age go to Qatar or to China, with all due respect, so coming to such an important and outstanding club at this point of my career makes me very happy. That's why I'm very grateful to Juventus for this opportunity to continue my brilliant career."

Croatia captain Luka Modric led the red and white checkerboarded outfit to the World Cup Final for the first time ever, surviving two penalty kick shootouts, as well as a draining extra time affair in the "win or go home" stages. The 32-year-old was named Man of the Match three times in seven games, and according to statisticians, covered more distance on the pitch than any other participant. Although the Blazers lost to France in the final, 4-2, he was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

LUKA MODRIC CROATIA CAPTAIN "Thank you Croatia! Thank you, Zagreb. This a dream come true. Thank you for everything and we will move on!"

One of the biggest keys to the French team's championship was the emergence of 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe. The Paris Saint-Germain forward became the youngest to score for his country at the quadrennial showcase, helping Les Bleus edge Peru 1-0 in Group C. He was then chosen as Man of the Match after earning a crucial penalty early, and finding the net twice late, to help put away the Argentines in the last 16. He continued to shine in the title game, notching the final goal in the triumph over the Croatians, and walking away with the award for Best Young Player.

His clubmate Neymar, the sport's most expensive man, had a somewhat controversial stay in Russia. The 26-year-old led Brazil to the quarter-finals by netting against Costa Rica in Group E, and Mexico to start the knockout phase, but attracted a raging stream of criticism for his efforts to saddle opposing players with fouls and potential yellow cards. The striker was also denied an injury time equalizer by the fingertips of Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, as the Selecao bowed out 2-1 in the round of eight.

Host nation Russia gave the home fans a string of unexpected surprises, as 22-year-old Aleksander Golovin helped the Sbornaya progress to the quarter-finals. The midfielder capped the scoring in a 5-0 victory versus Saudi Arabia in Group A on opening day, and converted the third spot kick in the Russians 4-3 shootout triumph, against a heavily favored Spanish squad to begin the knockouts. And even though three seasons remain on his contract with CSKA Moscow, offers are already pouring in from sides like Monaco, Juve, and Chelsea. DJ, CGTN.