The post-Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi era in international soccer has officially begun.

Ronaldo’s retirement from the Portuguese national team last week followed Messi’s decision to step down from Argentina after the World Cup earlier this year.

The stage now belongs to the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and newly-crowned Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane, who are all in Nations League action over the next week.

Winning the Nations League with Portugal last year was Ronaldo’s final great act with his country. And despite his public fall out with coach Jorge Jesus during the last round of fixtures, prompting the forward’s retirement, the team has already secured its place in the quarterfinals with a 100% record.

So too has World Cup winner Spain. For England, France and Germany, however, there is still work to be done before they can book their places.

Here’s what to know about the next round of Nations League games:

Life after Ronaldo
Ronaldo bowed out of international soccer as the all-time men’s leading goal scorer (146) and appearance maker (234).

While he ultimately fell short of leading his country to a World Cup crown, he won three major honors, including the European Championship and two Nations League titles.

Yet his final years with Portugal were often overshadowed by questions about whether he had gone on too long or was holding back a golden generation of talent.

Perhaps the answer to that will become clearer as coach Jesus leads a Portugal team without its greatest player for the first time in more than two decades.

Credit: Associated Press (AP) | Photo Credit: (AP)