Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
The 2024 European Championships has quite frankly been one of the most exciting amongst recent editions.
Featuring upsets, nervy turns, new names on the block and quite frankly disappointment for some familiar names.
With the tournament reaching its conclusion, here’s our featured XI of the tournament’s best players.
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Mike Maignan – France – GK
The AC Milan shot-stopper deservingly takes the spot between the sticks despite stiff competition from finalists Jordan Pickford and Unai Simon.
Maignan, stood strong behind a very resolute French defensive line that made way to the semi-finals with much thanks to this part of their game. The lone goal in the defeat to France was the first open play goal he conceded in the tournament.
Marc Cucurella – Spain – LB
Subject to much criticism over the last couple of seasons as a result of the hefty transfer fee Chelsea paid to acquire his services.
With this La Furia Roja outfit, he’s looked much more like the player he was at Brighton. The controversial handball against Germany almost put a blemish on a very fine tournament.
Marc Guéhi – England – CB
The Eagles defender became the first choice partner to John Stones as a result of Harry Maguire’s failed fitness test ahead of the tournament.
Despite seeing limited time with Oliver Glasner in the second half of the last campaign, he’s looked to be at the top of his game and might consequently retain the spot on the long run.
William Saliba – France – CB
From not being a frequent starter with Les Blèus, the Gunners “Rolls-Royce” defender bounced Ibrahima Konate to make the spot beside Dayot Upamecano his.
Saliba put out the usual phenomenal performances he’s accustomed to at club level with Deschamps outfit in this tournament.
Dani Carvajal – Spain – RB
Fresh off winning another UEFA Champions League title with Real Madrid, Carvajal got off to the flying start finding his first European Championships goal in the tourney’s opening game.
Also, providing the support on the flank to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
Adding the dark arts to his game, like former teammate Sergio Ramos, he deliberately picked up a second yellow card trying to stop Jamal Musiala at the death of the game against Germany.
Jude Bellingham – England – MF
Los Blancos’ midfielder on the back of his very successful first season in Spain has been a part of the core players in the Three Lions outfit that secured a first Euros final away from home soil.
Bellingham kickstarted their run with his clutch header gifting a win in their opening game. Followed by a 95th minute winner against Slovakia and a well dispatched penalty against Switzerland.
Rodri – Spain – MF
Regarded by many as one of the best midfielders in world football. Manchester City’s anchorman has settled in the Sergio Busquets role with relative ease.
Asides his play breaking abilities, he’s also added an attacking twist over the past campaign coming up with returns of his own.
Rodri’s fine shift in defensive midfield has started to earn him unorthodox Balón d’or shouts.
Fabian Ruiz – Spain – MF
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder features in the double pivot behind Spain’s offensive midfielder alongside Rodri.
He’s provided the link between midfield and the final third and has stayed as arguably the country’s best performer across the campaign.
Jamal Musiala – Germany – FW
Die Mannschaft’s starboy was the catalyst to the entertaining Nagelsmann ball seen in Euro 2024.
Despite getting knocked out in the quarter-final, Musiala scored 3 goals from just a miserly 4 shots on target.
Staying central to the German’s play, he commands a spot in this attacking trio.
Cody Gakpo – Netherlands – FW
The former PSV Eindhoven forward featured more in midfield and as a false 9 under Jurgen Klopp.
However, Ronald Koeman has attested he’s better coming off the left flank and hence fielded him there.
Gakpo starred as the country’s most prolific attacker across the tournament.
Lamine Yamal – Spain – FW
The teenager just hit seventeen a day before the Euro 2024 final.
Over the tournament, he became the youngest debutant, the youngest player to give a tournament assist and in similar fashion the youngest goalscorer in Euros history.
Substitutes-
Giorgi Mamardashvili, Unai Simon, Aymeric Laporte, Pepe, Jules Kounde, Theo Hernandez, N’golo Kanté, Tijani Rejinders, Nico Williams, Álvaro Morata.
Tags: #Euro2024, #NRTCsports, Lamine Yamal, Spain, England, Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz,Cody Gakpo, William Saliba, N’golo Kanté, Jude Bellingham
