New Delhi: It’s time that football fans around the globe head back to international football mode just months after the end of Euro 2024 campaign, as UEFA Nations League awaits. It is a bit hard to believe that this competition was introduced just six years back and since then we have had some exciting moments over the years. The Nations League will kick off this Thursday, on 5th of September, as it will begin yet another hectic schedule for the players, who are ready to perform for their nations and compete for this prestigious title.
As we head towards the start, there are certain clubs who look ready to perform and look like certain contenders to lift the trophy considering their current form and how they have been performing overall. This will be the fourth edition of Nations League and some of the past winners are also a part of this list, thanks to their wonderful recent performances.
Spain
Jordi Alba of Spain lifts the UEFA Nations League trophy after the team’s victory in the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 final match between Croatia and Spain at De Kuip on June 18, 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
The 2022/23 Nations League winners have been prolific this year, fresh off from winning the Euros title. This has truly been a total revelation under Luis De la Fuente, who has guided this wonderful Spanish squad to some great heights in the last couple of months. Now the Spanish side have their eyes set on the Nations League 2024/25, where they are certainly the favourites to win it. Spain managed to win the 2022/23 campaign hosted by Netherlands, where they managed to pull off a victory against Croatia in the finals.
To think that way, Spain are already enjoying one of their best run of forms as they remained unbeaten throughout the Euro campaign. Luis De la Fuente’s side were up for the task and they managed to break a number of records during their long journey to the Euro title. The defending champions will be looking to repeat 2022-23 campaign’s success this time around as their squad looks strong and their manager has been spot on with his tactics which certainly makes them one of the top contenders to win the title.
Player to watch out for: Rodri
This young Spanish side has showcased some exciting talents in past couple of months including the likes of Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Fermin Lopez and many more. However, other nations might will without a doubt have problems while facing the dynamic duo of Yamal and Williams, after their unforgettable performances in the Euros, but the player that needs to be studied more and can cause a lot of damage for the opposition team is nome other than Rodri.
Rodri did win the player of the tournament, but people often fail to understand how good this player is in the pitch. He has become a leader and his ability on the pitch is just extraordinary. He has certainly established himself as one of the best Defensive Midfielders in the world right now, and he will be looking to get the job done for Spain yet again.
Germany
German national team celebrating after a win (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
Another team that revitalised themselves during the Euros, was none other than the German national side. They did fall short of winning the title but there is little no doubt that Germany were certainly one of the teams that looked like going all the way to lift the trophy. Germany have looked good when it comes to the squad depth aa Nagelsmann’s side has the equal balance of youth as well as experience on the pitch. This team imposed a real threat to every European nation that faced them in the Euros and considering their recent performances, they are certainly amongst the favourites to win this year’s Nations League.
Player to watch out for: Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz will be key to Germany’s chances of victory. (Photo: Getty images)
Another start studded squad where there is absolutely no shortage of excellent talents. However, one player that can be an integral part of the squad is Florian Wirtz, who proved out to be quite an asset for Nagelsmann’s side during the Euros. He seems to have fitted well into the German national side and he has established himself to be one of their top contributors to any sort of attacking threat that they produce on the pitch.
The German youngster scored twice during the Euros and he has had a bright start to the 2”24/25 Bundesliga campaign, playing for Bater Leverkusen, having three goal contributions in the opening two games of the season. If Nagelsmann trusts this kid on the pitch, he would be ready to lighten up the Nations League.
France
France celebrating after a goal against Austria (Getty images)
The French international team hasn’t quite looked the best in the past couple of months but the depth in their squad looks impressive as always. The French were nowhere close to their best form during the Euros, but the players that they possess can produce some match winning performances on the pitch. Their squad is pretty much balanced when it comes to the attributes that team needs on the pitch to win games. They might not be having the best time but they are certainly a side that can do a lot of damage, making them potential contenders to win the cup.
Player to watch out for: Ngolo Kante
N’Golo Kante of France controls the ball whilst under pressure from Florian Grillitsch of Austria (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
Ngolo Kante was without a doubt the best player for the French national side. The 33 year old surprised everyone after his return to the French squad as no one expected him to be the main man for France ever since he left Europe and joined Al Ittihad. Kante was everywhere on the pitch whenever he was playing and he was one of the main reasons why France managed to concede less goals throughout the campaign. However, he has established himself as an all round midfielder and certainly showed his class on the pitch even during the attacking plays. He can turn out to be a major headache for the opposition.
England
Jude Bellingham scores for the English national side in the match against Serbia. (Photo: Getty)
The Euro 2024/25 finalists just couldn’t get the job done against the mighty Spain. However, this is their chance to finally break their long trophy drought as they have themselves the chance to finally put the past behind and win some silverware. England is a team that will always be considered as one of the top contenders to win any major international trophy. Gareth Southgate’s future was uncertain and he confirmed his departure after the heartbreaking defeat against Spain in the finals.
England have still not managed to find his successor, as it’s the England U-21 manager Lee Carsley, who will be responsible for managing the squad. Uncertanties and doubts may have creeped in but England are certainly one of the teams that are favourites to be compete with teams like France, Spain and Germany, for the Nation’s league title.
Player to watch out for: Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer of England celebrates scoring to make it 1-1 with team mate Luke Shaw during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion on July 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Michael Regan via Getty Images)
There is absolutely no doubt about the fact that Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has been one of the most consistent performers in the past few months. Southgate was heavily criticised for not playing Palmer from the start, and it did seem like the young English forward would’ve given top class performances if he had been a regular starter for the English side. Palmer is a highly gifted footballer who showed glimpses of brilliance in that limited time that he was on the pitch for the Three Lions during Euros.
However, when it comes to club football, Palmer is without a doubt Chelsea’s best player as the Englishman had 30+ goal contributions in the league for the Blues. It has yet again been a bright start for Palmer as he has already managed to get five goal contributions for Chelsea in the opening three matchdays of Premier League.
Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal lifts the trophy with the squad and staff as he celebrates the victory and winning the UEFA Nations League Final between Portugal and the Netherlands at Estadio do Dragao on June 09, 2019 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
The first ever winners of UEFA Nations League will be looking to make it a second title as they look hungry for silverware. The Portuguese themselves didn’t have the best Euro campaign but the quality in their squad makes them one of the major contenders to lift the title. Roberto Martinez needs to have a major impact in that dressing room as the players need to respond in a manner that takes the Portuguese national team to the top yet again. This is a great chance for Portugal to win silverware, and this is a competiton where they have tasted success before.
However, considering the high stature of Portugal, it won’t be surprising to see them lift their second Nations League title. They certainly are the contenders with the quality in their squad, and it will be Cristiano Ronaldo who will be guiding this talented squad. They certainly are under great mentorship and it might just lead them to the title.
Player to watch out for: Pedro Goncalves
Pedro Goncalves of Sporting CP and Portugal in action during the Portugal National Team training session (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
This might just be an uncommon pick, but Goncalves is a player of high calibre who can truly do the job for his national side. He has been a wonderful player for Sporting CP, performing consistently for the past four seasons he has spent with The Lions. There is a high possibility that Martinez will be willing to try him out for Nations League matches, and if he does, this would be a great opportunity for a wonderfully gifted footballer who can cause a lot of damage. The 26 year old has started the season strongly for Sporting, where he has managed to provide six goal contributions in the opening four games of the campaign. He can very well carry this form for Portugal and have a good impact on Portugal’s matches.
UEFA Nations League is upon us and here’s a look at some of the top contenders who can lift the title and one player from their squad that can do a lot of damage. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
