Euro 2024 came to an end on Sunday and it was a tournament of many great moments. A number of players lit up the tournament including some exciting young players and players no one had even heard.
Now it's time for me to rank my top 20 players of the tournament.
20. Antonio Rudiger - Germany
POSITION: Centre Back
CLUB: Real Madrid
Rudiger was solid at the back all tournament for Germany as he made many crucial blocks and other interventions. He might've scored an own goal in the first game, but he still put in some top performances in the others as Germany reached the Quarter Finals.
19. Theo Hernandez - France
POSITION: Left Back
CLUB: AC Milan
The defence was France's only strength at this tournament and Hernandez was a key part of it. He was always in the right place at the right time when his team needed him to be and was one of the French's better performers at an uninspiring tournament.
18. Arda Guler - Turkey
POSITION: Winger
CLUB: Real Madrid
Guler was one of the standout youngsters at this tournament as he registered a goal and 2 assists to help Turkey reach the Quarter Finals. His deliveries from set pieces were always dangerous and after a decent showing at this tournament, he'll now be looking to nail down a regular spot in the Real Madrid team next season.
17. N'Golo Kante - France
POSITION: Midfielder
CLUB: Al-Ittihad
Kante was back to being his usual self at this tournament in winning the ball back countless times all over the pitch. He's still the best in the world when it comes to that and although France might not have had the tournament they were hoping for, his energy and tenacity in midfield was still key.
16. Unai Simon - Spain
POSITION: Goalkeeper
CLUB: Athletic Bilbao
Simon was a solid presence between the sticks right throughout the tournament as Spain went all the way. He made a number of crucial saves to keep his side in games and all of them were crucial to Spain winning the tournament.
15. Xavi Simons - Holland
POSITION: Winger
CLUB: PSG
Simons has been an exciting young talent for a while now and at this tournament, he really showed his potential. He registered 3 assists and a goal as the Dutch reached the semi finals and he was always a threat to the opposition whenever he was in their half.
14. Aymeric Laporte - Spain
POSITION: Centre Back
CLUB: Al-Nassr
Laporte was solid at the back all tournament as Spain went all the way. He was always in the right place when his team needed him to be and his strong performances in the backline were key to Spain having a tight defence on their way to glory.
13. Jordan Pickford - England
POSITION: Goalkeeper
CLUB: Everton
Pickford once again showed why he's England's no.1 at this tournament by making many crucial saves to keep them in games. He became England's most capped goalkeeper at major tournaments during these finals and without him, England might not have reached the final.
12. Dani Olmo - Spain
POSITION: Midfielder
CLUB: RB Leipzig
Olmo started the tournament on the bench until an injury to Pedri put him in starting line up. He went on to become a key player for Spain from that point onwards as he won a share of the golden boot with 3 goals and all of them were key in Spain going all the way.
11. Marc Guehi - England
POSITION: Centre Back
CLUB: Crystal Palace
Guehi stepped up brilliantly in the absence of Harry Maguire at this tournament by looking solid in pretty much every game he played in. His performances at the back played a key role in England reaching the final and after originally being a back up defender, he's surely now a guaranteed starter.
10. Dani Carvajal - Spain
POSITION: Right Back
CLUB: Real Madrid
Carvajal has arguably been on of the most underrated right-backs of his generation as he hasn't always got the credit he deserves. He was excellent right throughout this tournament by being defensively very solid and a threat whenever he went forward. His performances at both ends were key to Spain going all the way.
9. Toni Kroos - Germany
POSITION: Midfielder
CLUB: Real Madrid
Kroos was the heartbeat of the German team at this tournament by dictating play in the midfield with his range of passing. His ability to that played a key role in Germany reaching the Quarter Finals and although this tournament marked the end of his career, he played like he had another one or two years left in him.
8. William Saliba - France
POSITION: Centre Back
CLUB: Arsenal
Saliba wasn't really fancied by Deschamps coming into this tournament and he only went on and showed him why he deserved to play. He solid right throughout the tournament as France arguably had the best defence and he's surely now one of the best defenders in Europe.
7. Nico Williams - Spain
POSITION: Winger
CLUB: Athletic Bilbao
Williams looked lively right throughout the tournament as he got fans off their seats with his skills and caused opposing defenders problems with his pace. He scored 2 goals at this tournament as Spain went all the way and is set to be a key player for them in years to come.
6. Jamal Musiala - Germany
POSITION: Winger
CLUB: Bayern Munich
Musiala has been Germany's main man at this tournament and is likely to be for many years to come as he's only 21. He won a share of the golden boot with 3 goals and impressed whenever he was on the pitch as he caused defenders problems with his pace and movement off the ball.
5. Cody Gakpo - Holland
POSITION: Forward
CLUB: Liverpool
Gakpo is one of those players who plays better for his country than he does for his club and it was certainly the case at this tournament. He scored 3 goals as he shared the golden boot with a number of players and all of them were key in the Dutch reaching the semi finals. Liverpool fans will now want to see this version of him on a consistent basis next season.
4. Marc Cucurella - Spain
POSITION: Left Back
CLUB: Chelsea
Cucurella has his doubters coming into this tournament and we went on to prove them wrong by playing a key role in Spain winning the tournament. He excellent at both ends of the pitch and especially defensively, where he did not put one foot wrong after facing a lot of criticism in that department over the last couple of years. Chelsea fans will now want to see this version of the player next season.
3. Fabian Ruiz - Spain
POSITION: Midfielder
CLUB: PSG
Ruiz was one of Spain's main men at this tournament as he put in some strong performances in midfield and pooped up with some crucial contributions. He registered 2 goals and assists as Spain went all the way and all of them were key to them winning the tournament.
2. Rodri - Spain
POSITION: Midfielder
CLUB: Man City
Rodri was a class act at this tournament as he controlled games from midfield and protected the back four well by making many crucial interventions. His ability to do both played a key role in Spain winning the tournament and showed why he's the best defensive midfielder in the world. His performances at these finals have in some peoples eyes made him a serious Ballon D'or contender.
1. Lamine Yamal - Spain
POSITION: Winger
CLUB: Barcelona
Yamal is already looking like a world star in the making and he's only just 17. He registered more assists than any of other player at this tournament with 4 and he got fans off their seats with his pace and ability to beat players with his skills. I don't think we've seen a player as good as him at his age since Lionel Messi.
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