Major international tournaments provide a grand stage for football’s elite to solidify their legendary status. From Cristiano Ronaldo leading Portugal to glory at Euro 2016 to Lionel Messi’s triumph at Qatar 2022, these events are where legends are made. Euro 2024 is no exception, with the world’s top talents vying to turn their nation’s dreams into reality.
It often falls to a country’s star player to rise to the occasion. With this in mind, talkSPORT has evaluated each team’s standout player, ranking them from worst to best. While some selections were close calls, the list spans from lesser-known talents to global superstars who are expected to shine in Germany this summer.
24) Radu Dragusin – Romania
Age: 22
Position: Centre-back
Current Club: Tottenham Hotspur
International Caps: 15
Dragusin, a crucial figure for Romania, had a solid season, helping Genoa secure a mid-table spot in Serie A. His performances earned him a move to Tottenham in January. He played every minute of Romania’s unbeaten Euro 2024 qualification campaign, contributing to six clean sheets as they topped their group. Romania faces a tough challenge in Germany, drawn into the same group as Belgium.
23) Elseid Hysaj – Albania
Age: 30
Position: Full-back
Current Club: Lazio
International Caps: 82
Hysaj, an experienced international, remains in his prime, combining his vast experience with youthful energy. Albania is in the ‘group of death’ with Italy, Spain, and Croatia, making their progression to the knockout stages a daunting task. Hysaj’s experience and leadership will be vital.
22) Tomas Soucek – Czech Republic
Age: 29
Position: Central Midfield
Current Club: West Ham
International Caps: 68
Soucek, a cult hero in East London, has been pivotal for the Czech Republic, scoring three goals during qualification. Known for his resilience, he continued to play despite a serious injury. The Czechs will rely on Soucek’s tenacity in a group with Portugal and Turkey.
21) Aleksandar Mitrovic – Serbia
Age: 29
Position: Striker
Current Club: Al Hilal
International Caps: 89
Mitrovic has been in red-hot form since moving to Saudi Arabia, though the competition there isn’t as tough as in Europe. He showed his scoring prowess in qualifiers with a hat-trick against Lithuania. Serbia, drawn with England and Denmark, will need Mitrovic’s goals to advance.
20) Oleksandr Zinchenko – Ukraine
Age: 27
Position: Left-back/Central Midfield
Current Club: Arsenal
International Caps: 61
Zinchenko, a versatile player, has been crucial for both club and country. At Arsenal, he’s a central figure, and his leadership will be essential for Ukraine’s hopes in Euro 2024.
19) Federico Dimarco – Italy
Age: 26
Position: Wing-back
Current Club: Inter Milan
International Caps: 17
Dimarco has excelled as a wing-back for Inter Milan and Italy. His attacking prowess will be key for Italy, the defending European champions, as they aim to replicate their past success.
18) Rasmus Hojlund – Denmark
Age: 21
Position: Striker
Current Club: Manchester United
International Caps: 12
Hojlund, a £72m signing for Manchester United, has shown promise despite a challenging start. His seven goals in eight qualifiers give Denmark hope, though tougher defenses await in Germany.
17) Jan Oblak – Slovenia
Age: 31
Position: Goalkeeper
Current Club: Atletico Madrid
International Caps: 64
Oblak, one of the world’s best goalkeepers, is Slovenia’s captain and star player. His leadership and shot-stopping ability will be vital as Slovenia faces Denmark, England, and Serbia in Group C.
16) Scott McTominay – Scotland
Age: 27
Position: Central Midfield
Current Club: Manchester United
International Caps: 41
McTominay has re-established himself at Manchester United and played a crucial role in Scotland’s qualification, scoring seven goals. Scotland faces a tough opener against Germany, but McTominay’s form gives them hope.
15) Hakan Calhanoglu – Turkey
Age: 30
Position: Central Midfield
Current Club: Inter Milan
International Caps: 84
Calhanoglu, renowned for his free kicks and playmaking, captains a Turkish side that topped their qualifying group. Turkey will aim for a better performance than their Euro 2020 campaign.
14) Marcel Sabitzer – Austria
Age: 30
Position: Central Midfield
Current Club: Borussia Dortmund
International Caps: 78
With David Alaba injured, Sabitzer steps up as Austria’s key player. Under former Man United manager Ralph Rangnick, Austria hopes to advance from a group with France and the Netherlands.
13) Milan Skriniar – Slovakia
Age: 29
Position: Centre-back
Current Club: Paris Saint-Germain
International Caps: 66
Skriniar, a stalwart defender, helped PSG to the top of Ligue 1. Slovakia’s qualification was aided by his defensive prowess, and they will rely on him in Group E.
12) Dominik Szoboszlai – Hungary
Age: 23
Position: Centre Midfield
Current Club: Liverpool
International Caps: 40
Szoboszlai, Hungary’s standout player, has been a revelation at Liverpool. His four goals and three assists in qualifiers underscore his importance. Hungary faces a tough group with Germany, Switzerland, and Scotland.
11) Granit Xhaka – Switzerland
Age: 31
Position: Central Midfield
Current Club: Bayer Leverkusen
International Caps: 123
Xhaka, known for his box-office moments, now plays a key role at Bayer Leverkusen. His leadership will be crucial for Switzerland in a group with Scotland, Hungary, and Germany.
10) Luka Modric – Croatia
Age: 38
Position: Central Midfield
Current Club: Real Madrid
International Caps: 174
Modric, still orchestrating play at 38, is Croatia’s heartbeat. His experience and skill will be crucial as Croatia faces Spain and Italy in Group D.
9) Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Georgia
Age: 23
Position: Winger
Current Club: Napoli
International Caps: 29
Kvaratskhelia, a standout at Napoli, carries Georgia’s hopes. His performances will be key in a challenging group with Turkey, Czech Republic, and Portugal.
8) Robert Lewandowski – Poland
Age: 35
Position: Striker
Current Club: Barcelona
International Caps: 148
Lewandowski remains one of the world’s best strikers. At 35, he continues to excel for Barcelona and will be Poland’s main threat at Euro 2024.
7) Leroy Sane – Germany
Age: 28
Position: Winger
Current Club: Bayern Munich
International Caps: 59
Sane, despite Germany’s struggles, is a key player. His form for Bayern Munich offers hope as Germany looks to perform on home soil.
6) Virgil van Dijk – Netherlands
Age: 32
Position: Centre-back
Current Club: Liverpool
International Caps: 66
Van Dijk has returned to form, playing a crucial role for both club and country. The Netherlands will need his defensive prowess against France in Group D.
5) Bernardo Silva – Portugal
Age: 29
Position: Central Midfield
Current Club: Manchester City
International Caps: 88
Silva, arguably Portugal’s most important player, will look to replicate his club form at Euro 2024. His versatility and skill are vital for Portugal’s success.
4) Rodri – Spain
Age: 27
Position: Central Midfield
Current Club: Manchester City
International Caps: 49
Rodri has seamlessly filled the void left by Busquets. His intelligence and physicality make him a cornerstone of Spain’s midfield.
3) Kevin De Bruyne – Belgium
Age: 32
Position: Central Midfield
Current Club: Manchester City
International Caps: 99
De Bruyne, a maestro in midfield, is back from injury and ready to lead Belgium. This tournament could be his last chance at international glory with Belgium’s golden generation.
2) Harry Kane – England
Age: 30
Position: Striker
Current Club: Bayern Munich
International Caps: 90
Kane, England’s all-time top scorer, continues to impress. His move to Bayern Munich has elevated his game, making him England’s best hope for Euro 2024 success.
1) Kylian Mbappe – France
Age: 25
Position: Striker
Current Club: Real Madrid
International Caps: 77
Kylian Mbappe is widely regarded as a generational talent, often seen as the natural successor to Messi and Ronaldo. The newly-signed Real Madrid superstar has consistently proven his ability to perform on the world’s biggest stages.
France boasts a wealth of talent, yet Mbappe stands out as their crown jewel. His lightning pace, deadly finishing, and exceptional close control make him one of the most challenging players to mark in football.
Mbappe thrives in high-stakes situations, as evidenced by his remarkable hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final, becoming the first player to achieve this feat since Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966. Euro 2024 qualification was no different, with Mbappe scoring nine goals in eight matches, including a hat-trick in France’s astonishing 14-0 victory over Gibraltar.
In Euro 2024, expect Mbappe to enter his ‘Terminator’ mode, relentlessly pursuing and dismantling any opposition in his path.
Credit: TalkSport
