With the Euro 2024 Championship on the horizon, football fans are buzzing with anticipation as the tournament kicks off in Germany.
Among the myriad of talented athletes set to grace the field, here are four players who are poised to make a significant impact:
Cristiano Ronaldo
A titan of the game, Ronaldo’s storied career has seen him dominate the European stage since his debut in 2004. Portugal’s all-time leading goal-scorer, Ronaldo, now 39, is gunning for a record sixth appearance in the tournament. As he potentially embarks on his final European Championship campaign, all eyes will be on him to lead Portugal to glory once more.
Kylian Mbappe
After putting an end to a whirlwind surrounding his future by completing his dream move to Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe heads to Germany as a man on the hunt.
The 25, year-old endured a woeful tournament at Euro 2020, failing to find the back of the net in four games before missing the vital penalty as France lost to Switzerland in a last-16 shoot-out.
The French striker is however eager to make amends as he captains a rejuvenated French side. With seasoned veterans Griezmann and Kante by his side, Mbappe will be looking to showcase his immense talent on the grand stage.
Jude Bellingham
A brief cameo against Croatia at Euro 2020 made Jude Bellingham the youngest Englishman to play at any major tournament and the youngest of any nationality to play at a European Championship just 17 years.
Three years on, Jude Bellingham will be hoping to put the icing on what has been a spectacular first season with Real Madrid.
One of the favourite for this year’s Ballon Dor, the Englishman will be hoping to add a European Championship title, to his Champions League and La Liga titles this season and cement his place as one of the very best in the world.
Toni Kroos
As one of the finest midfielders of his generation, Kroos stands on the brink of a glorious swansong. After an illustrious career at Real Madrid, the German maestro carries the hopes of his nation into what could be his final tournament.
With a trophy-laden resume that includes World Cup and Champions League triumphs, Kroos seeks to add a European Championship title to his collection before bidding farewell to the international stage.
Harry Kane
On a personal level, Harry Kane’s first season with Bayern produced what he has always been associated with as a prolific marksman, goals. 44 goals in 45 appearances in his debut season in Germany is impressive. However, Kane’s trophy drought continues even with Bayern Munich as the German Giants ended the season without clinching any silverware.
Bayern Munich last went trophyless in the 2010-2011 season. During that season, they finished in third place in the Bundesliga and were eliminated in the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League.
Now with the Euros in sight, Kane could be the X factor in England’s Euro 2024 campaign, as they look to claim a maiden European nation’s title.
Phil Foden
Phil Foden’s remarkable achievement of scoring 19 goals and providing eight assists for Manchester City led to him being honoured with the Player of the Season accolade, coinciding with his team’s historic fourth consecutive English Premier League triumph.
Displaying his skills primarily in an attacking midfield role for City, the 23-year-old demonstrated his prowess on the field. His numbers with the national team, aren’t as handsome. Southgate deploys the playmaker on the wing and should England utilise him in a central position rather than isolating him on the wing, Foden has the potential to become a significant threat.
Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz was honoured as the Bundesliga’s Player of the Year for his pivotal contribution to Xabi Alonso’s groundbreaking 2023-24 championship team at Bayer Leverkusen. The attacking midfielder notched 11 assists and scored an equal number of goals, tying for the second-most assists in the league.
Wirtz stands out as one of the most promising German talents in the past decade, possessing an exceptional ability to control and command the midfield, a skill matched by few in global football.
Kevin De Bryune
One of Belgium’s finest players from their golden generation, playmaker Kevin De Bruyne was the midfield maestro behind Manchester City’s victorious 2023-24 English Premier League (EPL) title charge, orchestrating the Cityzen’s charge to their fourth straight EPL title.
The Red Devils will be hoping he can stay fit and fire on all cylinders. He brings a wealth of experience to a new-look squad that is hoping to improve on the team’s quarterfinal appearances at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.
Lamine Yamal
In what is his break-out season in football, At just 16 years old, Lamine Yamal already has set a list of extraordinary records in his young career: youngest scorer for Barcelona, youngest scorer in La Liga history and youngest scorer for the Spanish national team.
This Spanish wonderkid’s explosive nature on the wings and unique ability to get past defenders and find the back of the net makes him one of the best options the national team will have at Euro 2024.
The tournament kicks starts with host nation Germany taking on Scotland on Friday, June 14, 2024.
