While the European Championship trophy will be the main prize on offer this summer, many players heading to Euro 2024 will also be hoping to win individual prizes for their performances.
That prize is the 2024 Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious individual award in football.
So. who will play well enough to come out on top to win it?
Well, in our new 24 for 24 series that’s what we were trying to find out.
After ranking the best 24-20 and 19-11 players heading into Euro 2024, here are the rankings you’ve been waiting for: 10-1…
Country: France
If you’ve watched Arsenal over the past two years, it will come as no surprise that we’ve picked William Saliba as the best defender for Euro 2024.
The outstanding defender has been an absolute standout, and should be one of the first names on the French team sheet this summer.
Country: France
Speaking of first names on the French team page, here’s Antoine Griezmann – the man who played 128 games for Les Bleus.
And despite all those appearances and now 33 years old, he will be as important as ever to Didier Deschamps’ side in Germany, offering his nation some subtlety from his new full-back role.
Country: In Germany
Jamal Musiala could go from one of the best young players in the world, to one of the best footballers in the world, this summer.
The 21-year-old will be a prolific goalscorer for Germany, and we fully expect him to bag more goals in the tournament.
Country: In England
FWA Footballer of the Year, Phil Foden heads to Euro 2024 in the form of his life.
His career-best 27 goals in the Premier League in 2023/24 have guided Man City to another title, and if he can be a similar force in England they could end up winning their first ever men’s Euro – or their first trophy in 58. years.
Having now nailed the wide left position ahead of Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish and co., expect big things from Foden in Germany.
Country: In Belgium
Despite their most obvious team flaws, if (and it’s a big if) Kevin De Bruyne can stay fit, Belgium can go far at Euro 2024.
A smart midfielder is that good.
The next one. Euro 2024 sweepstakes. PLAY: Our Euro 2024 sweepstakes (UK only). black
Country: In England
Easily his nation’s all-time leading goalscorer and the man coming off the back of a 44-goal debut season at Bayern Munich.
Yes, of course Harry Kane is one of the top five players heading to Euro 2024.
The striker is incredibly effective in the final third, and should be considered one of the top nine players in European football history at this point…even if he hasn’t won any trophies (yet).
Country: In Germany
From someone who has never won a trophy, to winning every trophy…except one.
Legendary midfielder Toni Kroos will be hoping to add one more trophy to his collection this summer before he hangs up his boots for good.
If you watched how he dismantled France and the Netherlands when he returned to international duty in March, you wouldn’t bet on him getting it.
Country: Spain
Rodri is a winner by nature, and is one of the most technically and physically gifted midfielders in the world right now.
That’s quite a combination.
As with Man City in previous years, Rodri’s presence in the middle of the park will make Spain a match for any midfielder in the competition in Germany this summer.
Country: In England
Our top young player heading to Euro 2024, and our second overall player, it’s fair to say Jude Bellingham will have Europe at his feet this summer.
Having enjoyed a meteoric rise to megastardom thanks to 23 goals in his first season at Real Madrid, Bellingham will now be hoping to seal his first Ballon d’Or by inspiring England to glory.
Country: France
If you watched the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, you will know exactly why Kylian Mbappe is our top player heading into Euro 2024.
Quite simply, no other European footballer can score that hat-trick in this important game.
The talented striker is expected to do similar wonders this summer in Germany, and we’re not betting that he can.
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