UEFA Euro 2024: Top 7 youngsters who excelled on the big European stage

New Delhi: It’s been a few days since Spain lifted the UEFA Euro 2024 trophy in Berlin after overcoming England in the final moments of that enthralling game. Luis de la Fuente and Gareth Southgate, both had a squad filled with young, exciting talent who helped carry their side into the finals and even made their mark on the scoresheet as well, with Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer all combining for their respective side’s first goal.

Apart from the names mentioned above, many other youngsters carried their nation on their shoulders throughout the tournament. While Yamal was bestowed with the UEFA Young Player of the Tournament award following the conclusion of the final, there were many others alongside the 17-year-old who shone during their time in Germany.

Following UEFA’s criteria for the Young Player of the tournament award, we’re also looking only at players who were 22 years old or younger when the UEFA Euro 2024 started.

1) Lamine Yamal (Spain)

Starting things off with the one youngster whom no one will forget after this tournament, the Young Player of the Tournament Lamine Yamal. Spain’s 17-year-old wonderkind was at the heart of Spain’s attack and his combination with Williams was scary for the opposition. Yamal ended the tournament with one goal, which was declared UEFA’s Goal of the Tournament and four assists, the most any Spanish player has managed in a single edition.

Yamal was the talk of the town throughout the competition and there was no other player who could come close to this boy wonder’s talent and contributions to his country, ultimately playing a huge role in winning the UEFA European Championship for his country.

2) Nico Williams (Spain)

It’s impossible to talk about Yamal without mentioning his partner-in-crime Nico Williams’ name. Williams and Yamal complimented each other’s play and the former was equally important to Spain’s triumph, evidenced by his opener in the final of the tournament. The Athletic Bilbao winger was extremely dangerous down the left flank for Spain, contributing to three goals and creating 13 chances.

His pace and trickery left everyone awestruck and his electric performances in Germany have drawn the interest of Barcelona and Chelsea. Williams’ displays in the tournament are sure to create a lot of buzz around him in the coming days of this transfer window.

3) Jude Bellingham (England)

Moving from the two youngsters who won the UEFA Euro 2024 to the one who lost. Given that we’ve been hearing about Bellingham’s displays since he made the move to Borussia Dortmund, it is easy to forget that the Real Madrid star is still just 21 years of age. He was an extremely important part of the England side that reached the final, scoring crucial goals and assisting in the final.

While he only scored twice in the campaign, both those goals had a huge impact on England’s tournament, scoring the only goal of the game against Serbia and equalizing in the last minute of the knockout game against Slovakia with an incredible overhead kick which should’ve been the Goal of the Tournament in my humble opinion.

4) Kobbie Mainoo

Coming to Bellingham’s England teammate and the country’s breakout star of the tournament, the 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo. After not being given enough minutes in the initial games, England’s midfield struggles forced Gareth Southgate to bring Mainoo into the fold in the second half against Slovenia. Ever since that moment, he made the position his own and went on to start every game after that.

Building a solid partnership with Rice in the centre of the park, Mainoo was one of England’s best yet the most underrated players of the squad in Germany. Maintaining a passing accuracy of more than 90% and winning more than 60% of his tackles. Mainoo showed that he’s ready to take on responsibility when required and this would bode well for the incoming England boss and help Mainoo cement his place in the English squad for years to come.

5) Xavi Simons

The only young player to be given a chance by Ronald Koeman, Xavi Simons carried the Dutch squad on his shoulders, along with some support from Cody Gakpo. The PSG player was involved in four-goal contributions in a campaign that saw his country qualify for their first UEFA Euro semi-final in 20 years. He scored his side’s only goal in the last-minute defeat to England in the semis and is one of the only few Dutch attackers who can end the tournament with his head held high.

Simons was his side’s creative force in the absence of Teun Koopeminers and Frenkie De Jong, assisting thrice and creating another 12 chances, the joint most in Ronald Koeman’s squad. With his stock already on the up after a scintillating season with RB Leipzig, he certainly provided a good showing of his talent at a larger scale considering many clubs have been monitoring the 21-year-old Dutchman.

6) Arda Guler

The ‘Turkish Messi’ who’s been plying his trade for Real Madrid since last year was the driving force behind his country’s run to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2008. Despite his young career, expectations were high from the Turkish star and he didn’t disappoint. In just four starts, Guler contributed to three goals for his country including a beautiful long-range goal in his debut at the Euros.

Guler’s shining moment came in the Round of 16 game against Austria where he orchestrated his team to victory in the absence of captain and midfield partner, Hakan Calhanoglu. While they fell to the Netherlands at the quarter-final stage, Guler helped the Turks take the lead with an exquisite cross from his weaker foot which is probably the best assist of the tournament.

7) Riccardo Calafiori

The only shining light in an otherwise disappointing campaign for Italy, Riccardo Calafiori was probably the best Italian player at UEFA Euro 2024. The Bologna defender had a breakthrough season with the Italian side and continued that form in Germany. It’s not a coincidence that the only game he missed through suspension turned out to be the one that got his nation eliminated.

Calafiori was an integral part of Luciano Spalletti’s side and he is the reason they made it out of the group in the first place. The centre-back dribbled from his own half to the opposition’s before laying off a pass for Mattia Zaccagni to score the equalizer against Croatia, which helped Italy finish second in the group. He was excellent in the air and was amazing in his attacking output for his country.

 There were a number of youngsters that stole the show in Germany and utilised this opportunity to make their mark to a wider audience.  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today