The 2024 European Championships has come and gone with Spain claiming a fourth continental crown at the expense of the Three Lions of England at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday.
While the tournament lasted, we witnessed loads of excitement, some disappointments along with plenty of fantastic games, goals and individual performances.
Soccernet.football has ranked some of the best performers of the tournament in Germany.
10. Arda Guler
The Real Madrid youngster was one of Turkey’s most important players in the competition, displaying his quality all over the pitch while also proving decisive in the final third for Turkey in their run to the quarter-finals. Guler’s only goal in the tournament was an absolute stunner against Georgia in the group stage. He also registered two assists.
9. Jude Bellingham
Another Real Madrid youngster makes the list in England’s poster boy Bellingham. Although the 21-year-old midfielder went missing in a couple of games, his contributions for the Three Lions in Germany were undeniably pivotal in their run to the final. Bellingham scored the only goal of the game in England’s tournament opener against Serbia and then grabbed a crucial last minute equalizer in the Round of 16 against Slovakia. He also assisted Cole Palmer’s equalizer in the final.
8. Georges Mikautadze
The 23-year-old striker was one of the most formidable forwards in the early stages of the tournament, scoring an impressive three goals and providing one assist during Georgia’s remarkable journey to the knockout rounds. Mikautadze’s tally of three goals makes him one of the six Golden Boot Award winners of the 2024 European Championships.
7. Jamal Musiala
The German gem put on a spectacular showing at the Euros and looked like a certain contender for the Player of the Tournament Award before Die Mannschaft’s unfortunate quarter-final exit at the hands of eventual winners Spain. Musiala’s incredible group stage campaign saw him notch three goals for the host nation.
6. Fabian Ruiz
Arguably the most consistent performer at the Euros, Ruiz looked an absolutely different player in the Spain set up, providing impeccable quality on and off the ball for La Roja as he formed perhaps the best midfield partnership of the tournament with Rodri. The 28-year-old registered two goals and two assists, helping Spain to a fourth European title.
5. Nico Williams
Surely, there will be no shortage of suitors for Williams after his wonderful displays for Spain at the Euros. The winger was a handful for opposition defenders in Germany, offering pace, skill and crucially, a consistent end product from the left flank. He scored Spain’s opener in the final, setting La Roja up on their way to victory. Williams’ €58 million release clause certainly now seems like a good bargain given the tournament he’s had.
4. Cody Gakpo
The Liverpool forward was the Netherlands’ main man in their run to the semi-finals where they eventually fell to England in dramatic fashion. Gakpo enjoyed a wonderful vein of form in Germany which translated into brilliant performances for his nation as he regularly saved the Netherlands from the threat of elimination. The 25-year-old scored three goals and assisted another, making him one of the six recipients of the Golden Boot Award.
3. Lamine Yamal
Spain’s wonder-kid established himself as a proper superstar at the 2024 European Championships, showing immense potential and earning comparisons with one of football’s greatest icons Lionel Messi. Yamal, who celebrated his 17th birthday the day before the final could not have asked for a better belated present than La Roja’s Euro triumph and his Young Player of the Tournament Award. The Barcelona youngster was lively throughout the tournament, registering one goal and four assists.
2. Dani Olmo
The RB Leipzig midfielder turned out to be one of Spain’s best performers in Germany despite starting only one of La Roja’s first four games. Olmo saw his involvement at the Euros increase significantly after Pedri Gonzalez’s injury in the quarter-final against Germany and the 26-year-old rewarded De La Fuente’s faith in him with brilliant performances and more importantly, end product. Olmo notched three goals and provided two assists as La Roja cruised to their fourth European triumph.
1. Rodri
The engine room of De La Fuente’s magnificent Spain and undoubtedly the most important player for La Roja in the tournament, Rodri was able to replicate his incredible form with Manchester City in the 2023/2024 season for his nation in Germany. The 28-year-old midfield general was faultless at the base of Spain’s midfield alongside Fabian Ruiz, enabling La Roja to play in an exciting and dominant manner throughout the competition. His Player of the Tournament Award is without doubt, well deserved.
