Euro 2024 it has come to an end and some of the best players in the whole continent have shown themselves in this tournament in Germany.
It was Spain who ended up lifting the silverware in Berlin, beating England in the final in a surprising way. Although many experienced experts helped La Roja over the line, it was their aces who sprinkled stardust on their performance and impressed the most.
UEFA have awarded their Young Player of the Tournament award to a player around the age of 22, so with that criteria in mind here 90 min the best young stars of Euro 2024.
Country: Portugal
It is a shame that Portugal did not progress to the quarter-finals. Roberto Martinez is a major problem as a manager, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego meant the Selecao had little edge in attack.
Their failure will be difficult for their fans given Portugal’s wealth of talent, but Nuno Mendes at least left the tournament with a lot of credit.
His team lost to France on penalties but not before he scored one of the goals you will ever see.
Nation: England
It’s amazing that he still ranks Bukayo Saka among Europe’s youngsters, as long as he plays with a maturity that belies his 22 years.
Statistics of just one goal and no assists for the tournament do not do the Arsenal star justice. Saka saved England from an early exit to Switzerland with a fine finish and saved his penalty in the shootout, overcoming a few ghosts at Euro 2020.
He looked like he could deliver a game-changing moment in the final against Spain, but it didn’t come.
Nationality: Germany
Florian Wirtz broke into the Germany squad with his impressive performances during Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga campaign and showed the world what he’s all about with a goal in Scotland’s demolition last night.
He suffered a bit in subsequent games, looking as comfortable on the left wing as he did in the middle, but the 21-year-old bounced back from being sent off against Denmark to score Spain’s late equalizer in the quarter-finals.
It wasn’t the Wirtz of old, but he’ll be better in the big leagues next time.
Nation: England
England’s midfield was a point of great debate at the start of Euro 2024, but in the end it was Kobbie Mainoo who partnered Declan Rice to make the position his own.
The Manchester United youngster is still a young player but he looks to have all the key elements of the game under his belt and will improve as time goes on.
He will continue to partner with Rice and Jude Bellingham for years to come and is a midfielder who could soon be among the best in the world.
Country: Netherlands
Xavi Simons must have been on cloud 9 when he hit the perfect shot to put the Netherlands ahead of England in the semi-finals.
He had provided three assists in the group stage before that four-time final and, while Oranje did not reach the final, Simons received a few extra euros in his transfer fee this summer.
Nation: England
It was less than a perfect performance as were the moments of magic for Jude Bellingham at Euro 2024.
All was well when the Real Madrid star came on for England’s eventual winner against Serbia, but the Three Lions were so disorganized in attack that it was difficult to finish higher than fifth here.
However, the overhead kick against Slovakia became instantly iconic, along with his shout of ‘Who else?’. He will come back.
Country: Turkey
Fans have a good idea what Arda Guler is all about now because of his stellar role in Turkey’s run to the last 8.
He didn’t get many minutes for Real Madrid last season but made a splash on his Germany debut by slotting home an inch-perfect curler against Georgia, before bagging the assists in the play-offs.
Turkey have shown resilience and resilience at Euro 2024 and will be hoping that Guler’s incredible talent can propel them forward in future tournaments.
Nationality: Germany
Jamal Musiala has been billed as one of the young players to watch this summer and Bayern Munich’s wonderkid brought to Germany.
The lack of experience was evident in the quarter-final exit to Spain but the 21-year-old had scored three goals before that point, beating Scotland, Hungary and Denmark.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has plenty of bright talents to work with going forward and Musiala is undoubtedly the pick of the squad.
Nationality: Spain
The biggest controversy surrounding the signing of Nico Williams was due to his performances for the Spanish side this summer.
The Athletic Club midfielder used his quick pace and quick runs to full effect in Germany and scored a crucial finish in the final to put La Roja ahead against England.
He may have slightly outdone his partner on the wing, but Williams is on the big stage now and won’t be gone for long.
Nationality: Spain
He turned 17 the day before the final but it’s already hard to think of new posters to describe Spanish whizz-kid Lamine Yamal.
As well as completely burying the a**t-talking Adrien Rabiot with his brilliant goal in the semi-final against France, the Barcelona youngster made four more throughout the tournament, including Williams’ opener in the final.
Yamal has been named Young Player of the Tournament for Euro 2024 and there is no strong case for the award to be handed out elsewhere. He is a generational talent and, at such a young age, one Barca should defend better than other stars they have produced in recent years.
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