Euro 2024 Best Player
At the end of the tournament, an award is given out to the best player throughout the competition. In Euro 2016, Antoine Griezmann won the award after he helped France reach the finals of the competition. Here are my predictions for the award:
I think most would probably agree that this man is in his prime and will be considered as the top favourite for this. Harry Kane, who won the golden boot at the 2018 World Cup, has been on fire for his domestic club Tottenham Hotspur so far this season, scoring 7 goals in his 1st 8 games. Not only is he recognised for his predatory finishing, but he has also added an incredible range of passing to his game, tallying 8 assists. He now often drops into a deep playmaker position which allows the wide players in his team to push further on and with Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling around him, I do not think he will struggle to score goals.
The young, exciting prospect Kylian Mbappe is renown for his blistering pace, terrifying dribbling, and devastating finishing making him one of the best forwards in modern day football. He lit the World Cup alive and was at times the sole reason as to why they won the competition. In 5 starts for PSG this season, he has netted 7 times and assisted 4 goals, providing great versatility as he can also play out on the flanks.
Kevin De Bruyne has been probably the best midfielder in the world for the last few years and despite having a fairly average start to life for Manchester City this season, picking up 1 goal and 3 assists, not playing as many games as he would have liked due to injury. You should never write this man off as he can produce pieces of brilliance in any moment. With Eden Hazard likely to be fit for the Euro’s and Romelu Lukaku upfront, Belgium will most definitely score goals, and this will probably be due to De Bruyne.
Cristiano Ronaldo may be 35 years old, but he is showing no signs of slowing down in his ability. With 3 league games played for Juventus, he has managed to score 6 goals so far despite battling with Covid-19. Portugal are the holders of this competition and as a squad they have only improved since. Youth and talent is huge in the Portuguese side and this could benefit all parties with a veteran such as Cristiano Ronaldo involved. This will also probably be his last national major tournament (never say never!) and so he will be desperate to impress.
This award does usually go to the top goal scorer of the competition and so that will pay a huge factor into whoever does win the award.