Most of their fans for sure still want to see them play. The only question now is whether they can still contribute at a high level, since they are no longer in their prime.
Cristiano Ronaldo might still be able to perform, but when it comes to Lionel Messi and Neymar I don’t think they can keep up with the younger players anymore.
If I were them given their current situation, I will not join the world cup. They don’t have anything left to prove anyway. It’s better to leave it to the younger players who are still in their prime and not injury prone lol.
Why do you feel that Ronaldo of 40+ will be able to perform while both Neymar and Messi below 40 will not perform?
Also remember that WC is another world of reality, it is not only about young blood, there is a place for experience. A mixture will make more sense. In the last WC, Spain relied only of youthful energy and didn't succeed.
IMO, if there is anyone among them that is supposed to exempt himself from the WC, it's Messi. He is the current champion, so Ronaldo and Neymar needs it badly.
I also will like the coaches to include them all. Even when injured, a slot for them is a big plus to the national team.
Realistically, the World Cup is the most difficult competition in the world to win, and national teams should always play with players who are the most prepared and best at that moment, rather than players playing based on past merit.
A good example of this is Portugal's performance at the last World Cup in Qatar and their match against Morocco in the knockout stage, which they lost.
Ronaldo really tried his best in that match but he was powerless and could not help his team.
He was simply too slow and with too little contribution in defense.
In the match before that, Portugal rested Ronaldo and played without him and in that match Portugal looked much better because they played with younger, faster and more explosive players in attack.
In my opinion, Portugal would have achieved a much better result at the recent championship in Qatar if, instead of giving Ronaldo a chance because of his past merits, they gave a chance to younger and faster attackers.
Yes, Ronaldo still plays and scores goals but where? In Saudi Arabia, a league that is not competitive with the best English leagues, such as Spain or England.
Neymar is currently injured and not ready, and Messi is playing in the American league, so I'm not sure that their contribution at the upcoming World Cup will be on the same level as in Qatar.