AFP Sport picks five-star names to watch at Euro 2024 in Germany.
Jude Bellingham (England)
Fresh from helping Real Madrid to La Liga and Champions League glory in his first season in Spain, Jude Bellingham turns his attention to trying to end England’s 58-year wait for major tournament glory.
The 20-year-old is part of a star-studded set of attacking talents alongside Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka.
Bellingham played a more important role in the 2022 World Cup and was used sparingly when England reached the Euro 2020 final.
But he has thrived in the more advanced position given to him by Carlo Ancelotti this season, scoring 23 goals, including the winners of both La Liga games against Barcelona in El Clasico.
Victory at the Euros could also position Bellingham as the leading contender to win this year’s Ballon d’Or – awarded to the best player in the world.
Kylian Mbappé (France)
Speculation over Kylian Mbappe’s future has finally been put to rest, with the striker on his way from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid.
The 25-year-old has faced accusations of wasting some of his early years in his homeland while PSG are still awaiting their Champions League debut.
Instead, Mbappe is a throwback to a previous generation, becoming one of the best players in the world thanks to his exploits at international level.
After becoming the first teenager since Pelé to score in a World Cup final to help France win in Russia in 2018, he became the first player since 1966 to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final 18 years ago. months. Ultimately, Les Bleus lost to Argentina on penalties in Qatar.
But Mbappé also has a score to settle at the Euros. He missed the crucial penalty in France’s shock last-16 exit to Switzerland three years ago after failing to score in the coronavirus-postponed tournament.
Florian Wirtz (Germany)
Florian Wirtz carries the hopes of his home country after playing a leading role in Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run in the German double and cup.
Germany suffered a rare rest period, being eliminated in the group stage of each of the last two World Cups and in the round of 16 of Euro 2020.
Wirtz, named Bundesliga player of the season, offers hope that a new generation can rejuvenate the fortunes of the three-time European champions under Julian Nagelsmann.
Both a goalscoring threat and a creative hub, 21-year-old Wirtz scored 18 goals and provided 20 assists as Leverkusen won the Europa League final at the height of their domestic dominance.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy Father Time as he prepares to compete in a record sixth Euro at the age of 39.
Already the best scorer ever in the final stages of the Euros, with 14 goals in total, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still setting new scoring benchmarks in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo broke the Saudi Pro League record with 35 goals in his first full season in the Gulf, giving Portugal coach Roberto Martinez a headache heading to Germany.
Portugal has been in excellent form since the Spaniard took over after the World Cup, winning all 10 qualifiers.
However, Martinez will have to decide whether to trust Ronaldo’s goal-scoring vision rather than a younger, more mobile focal point of his attack such as Diogo Jota or Gonçalo Ramos.
Rodrí (Spain)
Manchester City’s FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United was Rodri’s first defeat for club or country since March 2023, excluding the penalty shootout.
In a Spanish team without the stars of the past, the 27-year-old is now the standard-bearer.
“He’s an unbelievable player. He’s by far the best midfielder in the world today,” said City manager Pep Guardiola, himself a former midfielder.
“The defensive midfielder has to think about the rest of the team and not wait for recognition. But internally? All his teammates and employees know how important and decisive he is.”
Rodri’s tenacity in possession and balance on the ball will be the foundation upon which Luis de la Fuente can build.
The three-time European champions will need this as they are in the toughest group, alongside defending champions Italy, World Cup semi-finalist Croatia and Albania.
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