New Delhi, July 2 -- The FIFA World Cup is the ultimate platform for footballing greatness, the stage where legendary status is cemented, and dreams are realised or shattered in the blink of an eye.

Over the last two decades, a select elite of modern football icons-Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modrić-have defined the tournament's narrative, carrying the hopes of entire nations on their shoulders.

From Messi's fairytale redemption and Mbappe's breathtaking record-breaking bursts to Cristiano Ronaldo's unparalleled longevity, these superstars have written some of the most epic and dramatic chapters in football history.

We now take a closer look at how each of these stars has performed in the past f...