Legends are made at major tournaments and Euro 2024 offers an opportunity for the continent’s best footballers to make history.
Ahead of the first game of the tournament on Friday, we look at the players who could define Euro 2024. Here are the five favorites to win the Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament award.
Toni Kroos – Germany (16/1)
Toni Kroos is back! Although, unfortunately, not for long.
The German midfielder was persuaded to withdraw from international selection for this summer’s tournament in what will be the final chapter of his illustrious career.
The 34-year-old has decided to end his career after Euro 2024, having signed for Real Madrid as a dream come true after completing a La Liga and Champions League double in 2023-24.
Still, unquestionably one of the best midfielders in the world, Kroos will be tasked with orchestrating proceedings in Julian Nagelsmann’s engine room. Germany have disappointed in recent major tournaments, but the three-time world champion will be confident at home.
Phil Foden – England (01/12)
Phil Foden didn’t shine much in the England shirt, as he so often does in the colors of Manchester City, but the midfielder arrives at Euro 2024 with his best campaign to date at the Etihad.
The 23-year-old was awarded the FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season awards for 2023-24 after inspiring the Citizens to a record-breaking fourth successive league title.
Foden ended the campaign with 27 goals and 12 assists in all competitions and getting the best out of him this summer must be a priority for Gareth Southgate.
Harry Kane – England (01/11)
Harry Kane is another member of Southgate’s squad who will enter Euro 2024 on the back of a career-best campaign. The 30-year-old scored 44 goals in 45 games following his €100 million move to Bayern Munich and, although team honors were elusive, he won the European Golden Shoe for the first time.
After winning the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup, Kane aims to become just the third player – after Dražan Jerković of Yugoslavia and Gerd Muller of Germany – to win the Golden Boot at both a World Cup and a European Championship.
Jude Bellingham – England (01/09)
Jude Bellingham hopes to end a dream season with ultimate success as England look to end a 58-year wait for a major tournament triumph.
Things could hardly have gone better for Bellingham since his high-profile move to Real Madrid last summer, when the midfielder starred in Spain to win La Liga and the Champions League.
Bellingham has scored 23 goals in all competitions for the Spanish national team, excelling in the forward role that Gareth Southgate looks set to use this summer.
He was named La Liga Player of the Season for 2023-24, having won the Bundesliga equivalent at Borussia Dortmund a season earlier. A reminder, he’s still only 20 years old.
Kylian Mbappé – France (13/2)
Kylian Mbappe is the favorite to win the Player of the Tournament award and will captain France in the final.
The 25-year-old was unstoppable at the World Cup 18 months ago, scoring eight goals – including a hat-trick in the final defeat to Argentina – to win the Golden Boot.
Interestingly, Mbappe is yet to score at a European Championship after a disappointing Euro 2020 campaign, although it would be a seismic shock if his account was not opened this summer. The striker – who will join Real Madrid after the tournament – has 80 goals and assists in 79 caps for France.
To read – Five must watch the Euro 2024 group stage games
View more – The best Fantasy Football team names from Euro 2024
