As Euro 2024 progresses, a new generation of football talent is taking centre stage. Fans across Europe and beyond are excitedly watching young players demonstrate their abilities at one of Europe’s premier tournaments. Here, we showcase five exceptional young stars who are expected to shine in the knockout stage.
Promising Young Talents to Watch Out for in Euro 2024
Nico Williams, Spain
A winger from Spain with Ghanaian roots will celebrate his 22nd birthday next month. He is one of the most promising young players in his country. His quickness, skill at dribbling, and field vision played a big part in Athletic Bilbao winning the Copa del Rey last April. That win broke a 40-year period without a trophy for the club.
Williams scored five goals and made 14 assists in 31 La Liga games for Bilbao in the previous campaign. He’s also had a strong impact at the Euros, something that Italy and Giovanni Di Lorenzo know well.
Top European clubs, including Barcelona and Chelsea, have noticed Williams. If he helps Spain win an unprecedented fourth European championship, his fame could grow even more.
Jude Bellingham, England
There hasn’t been so much excitement about a young England player since Wayne Rooney, as a teenager, made a splash at Euro 2004 twenty years ago.
Bellingham has had an incredible season. The nearly 21-year-old Real Madrid midfielder has already helped his club win the Spanish title and their 15th Champions League in his first campaign in Madrid.
With 24 goals for Real Madrid and 13 assists in 2023-24, Bellingham just won the best player award in La Liga and he’s a top contender for the Ballon d’Or. He has failed to shine at the Euros so far, but he remains one of the best players in the tournament and one of the biggest threats to any Three Lions opponent.
Xavi Simons, Netherlands
This 21-year-old midfielder, on loan at RB Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain, can play in various attacking roles. He has played as a left-winger, right-winger, and attacking midfielder for the German club and has performed well in each position.
Simons provided 16 assists and scored 10 goals in 43 matches for Leipzig across all competitions. His team finished fourth in the league, only seven points behind Bayern Munich.
Although Simons has only scored one goal for his national team, he’s been a significant attacking force for coach Ronald Koeman.
Arda Guler, Turkey
Creative Turkish midfielder Arda Guler may have struggled for playing time in his first season at Real Madrid, but he’s having a key role at the Euros under Vincenzo Montella and bagged a goal of the tournament contenders in the opening match against Georgia.
At 19, he hasn’t played as much as he would have liked under Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. However, he usually dazzles when he gets on the field and he scored six goals in 10 league matches for Real in 2023-24, spending just 373 minutes on the pitch. Guler has also played nine times for Turkey scoring twice.
Florian Wirtz, Germany
Bayer Leverkusen swept through the Bundesliga this past season, staying undefeated for the first time in their history and winning the league title. They also won the German Cup and finished as runners-up in the Europa League losing to Atalanta in Dublin.
Florian Wirtz was surely one of the main protagonists in the Xabi Alonso squad. The Germany international racked up 12 assists in the Bundesliga, a number only six other players topped across Europe’s top five leagues. Considering all competitions, he scored 19 goals and provided 20 assists so Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann hopes Wirtz will bring more of the same in the Round of 16. Wirtz has only scored one goal at the Euros so far.
FAQs
When was the first UEFA EURO held?
The first UEFA EURO was held in 1960, with the Soviet Union winning the inaugural tournament.
How many teams participate in the UEFA EURO?
The tournament has expanded over the years. As of EURO 2016, 24 teams compete in the final tournament.
Who has won the most UEFA EURO titles?
Germany and Spain are currently tied for the most UEFA EURO titles, each having won three championships.
Can you bet on the Euros results live?
You can bet on the Euros results live through various online betting platforms and sportsbooks. Live betting allows you to place bets on matches as they happen, with odds that update in real time based on the action on the pitch.
Wrapping up
As Euro 2024 unfolds and we witness dazzling displays by young talent on the pitch, it’s evident that Europe’s football future is safe in these young superstars’ hands. These young rising stars embody the passion, skill, and determination that define European football while captivating fans of all ages with their skill and tenacity.
Young talent are just embarking on their journeys, with endless potential ahead. Given guidance, support, and opportunities to thrive professionally in footballing history. With guidance, support, and opportunities from professionals in the game like FA Youth Academy coaches, they may reach new heights of success in their careers and cement themselves among legends of the game.