We’re so close you can feel it—the Euros kick off on Friday, with Germany taking on Scotland in Munich as part of Group A. As with every major tournament, 433futbol looks at the top 11 best players, ranging from established players to breakout stars. Who’s not ready for Euro 2024?
11. Florian Wirtz, Germany
21-year-old German playmaker Florian Wirtz is coming off a breakout season at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the team to its first-ever Bundesliga title. The Bundesliga Player of the Year is poised to make even more significant contributions (18 goals, 20 assists in all club matches this season), this time to his national teammates, sparking hope for a successful Euro 2024 campaign.
Did you know Wirtz scored his first international goal for Germany in 7-seconds from kick-off? Boom.
10. Jamal Musiala
Bayern Munich youngster Jamal Musiala is ready to turn heads this summer on home soil. The 21-year-old and Wirtz will give Die Mannschaft plenty of attacking options — scary to think about the creativity up front!
Some have tipped magic feet Musiala to become the player of the tournament. No one’s disputing a true technician.
9. Bernardo Silva, Portugal
High IQ, sticktuitiveness, and creativity make Bernardo Silva a pain to play against. Now 29, the Euro 2016 winner will look to become the leading man of this Portuguese side — even with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo on it.
“He is one of the best players I have ever seen in my life,” says Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola. There’s no doubt the midfielder can ball — but will he show up for A Seleção this summer?
8. Toni Kroos, Germany
Euro 2024 is Toni Kroos’s last hurrah. The Germany midfielder declared his retirement just before winning this fifth Champions League final earlier this month.
The midfield maestro will be looking to snatch up the Euros trophy on home soil, as it’s the only major piece of silverware missing from the 34-year-old’s closet. “I’m convinced this squad can do special things at the Euros,” Kroos said back in February. Same.
7. Bruno Fernandes, Portugal
Bruno Fernandes can do it all. With 15 goals and 13 assists this past season for an inconsistent Manchester United team, the midfielder looks to continue his dynamism for his national side.
If Portugal is a Euro favorite, it’s because of this man, not Ronaldo. Probable player of the tournament should A Seleção go all the way.
6. Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne has been the creative engine behind Manchester City’s six Premier League titles under Pep Guardiola. While the 32-year-old Belgian midfielder may be drawing his career close, he still has plenty to offer, especially to a national team desperate for a spark.
Belgium’s success at the Euros relies on captain de Bruyne’s shoulders. Let’s see how far he can take the Red Devils.
5. Phil Foden, England
Phil Foden is coming off the best season of his professional career, scoring 27 goals and notching 12 assists. The 2023/24 Premier League Player of the Season is already a Manchester City great. Now, the 24-year-old right winger looks to make his mark on the national team. With Three Lions stars Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford out of the roster, it’s Foden’s time to shine.
Foden’s ability to create scoring opportunities on the field has been critical to success at the club level. England will look to him to bring the same energy to Euro 2024.
4. Rodri, Spain
During the tail end of the 2023/24 season, Rodri made history by becoming the player with the longest unbeaten run in club football history (74 games). The four-time Premier League champion and Champions League title holder is looking to take his repeated success into the Euros, where Spain is one of the title contenders. The defensive midfielder is more than just a stingy stalwart on ball recoveries—he poses a long-distance threat as a passer and scorer of crucial goals.
3. Harry Kane, England
Put him in any league in the world, and he’s guaranteed to score goals. Kane netted 44 strikes for Bayern Munich this season and 12 assists. The former Tottenham striker is also England’s top scorer of all time.
Golden boot winner at this summer’s tournament? Probably. But Kane will look for some redemption at this summer’s Euros after the crushing 2000 penalty defeat to Italy. He needs a big trophy to fit alongside his stacked goal tally.
2. Jude Bellingham, England
High off an unreal debut season at Real Madrid (18 La Liga goals) culminating with a triumphant Champions League trophy, Jude Bellingham comes into the Euros with Ballon d’Or hopes. Given his leadership, extreme composure, and finesse on the ball, it’s hard to believe that the England midfielder is just 20. If he can carry over his meteoric success to the Three Lions this summer, he’ll make England the team to beat. A Euro victory surely cements his Ballon d’Or status.
1. Kylian Mbappe, France
Mbappe is desperate for a Euros trophy, manifested by his contentious comments the other day about the tournament ranking higher than the World Cup. If so, Euro neutrals are in for a treat as an unquenchable and electric Mbappe puts fear in any defender.
Mbappe scored 44 goals in all competitions for PSG last season. Real Madrid’s newest Galactico won’t hold anything back this summer at the Euros either. A hat-trick in the semis or finals is a mere expectation.
Photo: IG/kmbappe + judebelllingham
