Euro 2024 is one of the leading sporting events taking place this summer. 24 teams will feature in the international competition in Germany. It begins with six groups of four teams, with the knockout stages beginning in the last 16.
Here is a look at the biggest stars you can expect to see at Euro 2024, and their chances of lifting the trophy.
Kylian Mbappe (France)
French forward Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final but unfortunately for the 25-year-old, it was not enough to win that game against Argentina. The France captain is the standout player involved in Euro 2024 as he bids to lead his nation one step further than two years ago.
Mbappe is set for a dream move to Real Madrid this summer. After evening years with PSG, scoring over 250 goals for the club, he has now left the French champions on a free transfer and will be joining the European champions, as he bids for the next chapter in his career.
▪️ Hat trick of goals
▪️ Hat trick of assistsKylian Mbappé is running riot vs. Gibraltar 😤 pic.twitter.com/ddtYlpMnuz
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 18, 2023
For France, Mbappe has long been the centre figure in Didier Deschamps’ team. He is the leading presence in their forward line, and he is their primary penalty taker. The 2022 World Cup Golden Boot winner will fancy his chances of another individual trophy in Germany.
Harry Kane (England)
Not many players will go into Euro 2024 with as much confidence as Harry Kane. In his debut season in German football, the Englishman scored 44 goals for Bayern Munich. He proved why the German giants were so desperate to sign him for a Bundesliga record.
Kane was the leading goalscorer in the World Cup in 2018. His side were also a penalty shootout away from lifting the trophy in the last edition of the European Championship. The England skipper scored his spot kick, but his side were cruelly beaten by Italy at Wembley in London.
England go into this tournament as the 7/2 favourites to lift the trophy. Those looking to back Kane’s side should consider the leading betting offers for the Euros, as new customers with Kwiff and bet365 can pick up £30 in free bets when they place a £10 opening bet.
Kane will be supported by some of the best players in Europe in Gareth Southgate’s England side. He will be the player the responsibility lies upon to put away the chances they create.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most appearances (25 matches) and most goals (14) at the European Championship. Despite being 39 years old now, he remains one of the leading players in world football.
Ronaldo helped his team lift the trophy in 2016 when they defeated France 1-0 in extra-time in the final. To date, that’s his sole success at a major tournament. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be desperate to win another major international tournament before he retires from the sport.
In his first year playing in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo broke the league record for the most goals in a season. He scored 35 goals in the Saudi Pro League for Al Nassr. He is set to be the spearhead in Roberto Martinez’s exciting Portugal team at Euro 2024.
Toni Kroos (Germany)
German midfielder Toni Kroos is set to retire from professional football at the end of Euro 2024. A European Championship in his home country is the perfect way for the 34-year-old to bow out of the game.
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) June 2, 2024
Kroos won the World Cup with Germany in 2014 when they defeated Argentina in the final. In club football, he has won the Bundesliga three times, La Liga on four occasions, while he has lifted the Champions League trophy six times in his career.
The Real Madrid star is set to be an important player in Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany squad this summer. His experience is going to be vital on and off the pitch if the hosts are to win this tournament for the first time since 1996.
The final game of Euro 2024 takes place on Sunday, 14th of July at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. It will be the 51st game of the tournament and the winners will lift the trophy in front of 71,000 spectators.