We’ve already compiled a list of the most notable players to miss out on Euro 2024. Now, theScore ranks the best we’ll get to watch in Germany. Here are the 24 most outstanding players in this year’s tournament.
24. Cristiano Ronaldo 🇵🇹
Age: 39
Position: Forward
Club: Al-Nassr
Ronaldo may be 39, but that doesn’t mean he’s slowing down. With 35 goals in 31 games for Al-Nassr, the former Ballon d’Or winner just set the single-season Saudi Pro League scoring record. He also finished second in scoring in UEFA Euro qualifying with 10 goals in nine appearances. Playing as more of a striker has helped. He’s simplified his game and limited the number of superfluous dribbling attempts. Crucially, he’s stayed fit. – Anthony Lopopolo
23. Nicolo Barella 🇮🇹
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Club: Inter Milan
Italy has undergone massive changes since winning the Euros in 2021, but Barella is one of its few constants. The Inter Milan midfielder is excellent at breaking the lines and creating chaos around the 18-yard box and has a cannon of a shot. Barella is also a street fighter who has no problems scrapping for possession of the ball. No matter how much he runs, he never seems to lose energy. – Lopopolo
22. Theo Hernandez 🇫🇷
Age: 28
Position: Left-back
Club: AC Milan
Hernandez is one of the few players capable of going coast to coast on a football pitch. The left-back can weave through a maze of opponents and score within seconds of picking up the ball. Though he often commits rash challenges when he loses his man, he almost always produces the spectacular. With his brother Lucas ruled out of the Euros, Theo will provide France with width and game-breaking ability. – Lopopolo
21. Leroy Sane 🇩🇪
Age: 28
Position: Winger
Club: Bayern Munich
One of the most well-rounded wingers in European football, Sane is an elite dribbler with playmaking and goal-scoring ability whose only weaknesses is a lack of consistency. He managed 10 goals and 12 assists during one of Bayern Munich’s worst seasons in recent memory and won some games on his own. Leaving Manchester City to get the playing time he deserved has allowed Sane to grow. Though he’s primarily a right-winger, he can also play on the left and through the middle. – Lopopolo
20. Bruno Fernandes 🇵🇹
Age: 29
Position: Midfielder
Club: Manchester United
Never afraid to have a shot on goal, Fernandes’ creativity in the middle of the pitch will be key to Portugal’s success. His stats have dropped off since his stellar first season in England, but he was still one of the few bright spots during an otherwise awful season for Manchester United. While there’s a tendency to downplay his contributions, Fernandes is a distinguished difference-maker capable of influencing games. – Gordon Brunt
19. Antoine Griezmann 🇫🇷
Age: 33
Position: Forward
Club: Atletico Madrid
The revival of Griezmann’s career couldn’t come at a better time for France. The Atletico Madrid star was nearly written off before rediscovering his form in 2022. While he’s still a threat in front of goal, scoring a combined 31 goals the last two La Liga seasons, it’s Griezmann’s playmaking ability that gives France an added threat. La Liga’s assist leader in 2023 could be set to shine in a France attack that’s going to be a scoring machine. – Brunt
18. Pedri 🇪🇸
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
Club: Barcelona
A healthy Pedri is good news for Spain – and a potential nightmare for opponents. After injuries disrupted his last two seasons, one of Barcelona’s cornerstone players is poised to play an important role for Spain. Barring a disaster, he should be a staple in Luis de la Fuente’s lineup. “He is going to give us very good things in this competition,” the coach said. – Brunt
17. Aurelien Tchouameni 🇫🇷
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder
Club: Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti knew he could call upon Tchouameni to fill the void at center-back amid Real Madrid’s injury crisis. The tough-tackling midfielder did just that as Madrid won La Liga and the Champions League. Tchouameni even held his own against Erling Haaland in the Champions League semifinals. Now he can return to his roots in midfield and provide an extra layer of protection to France’s already solid backline. – Lopopolo
16. Josko Gvardiol 🇭🇷
Age: 22
Position: Defender
Club: Manchester City
Gvardiol is the latest wild card in Pep Guardiola’s hand at Manchester City. Arriving as a de facto center-back, the 22-year-old slowly moved out to the left and brought his impeccable sense of timing to the full-back position. Gvardiol showed he can handle traffic both ways and match wingers stride for stride. The Croatian broke out during the 2022 World Cup and built out his already excellent passing range to become one of European football’s most complete defenders. – Lopopolo
15. Kai Havertz 🇩🇪
Age: 25
Position: Forward
Club: Arsenal
Ask anyone what position Havertz plays, and you’ll get several different answers. But what’s clear is his ability to affect the outcome of a match. Either as a link-up man or a goalscorer, the German exploits all the little half-spaces that defenders leave behind. His off-the-ball runs put opponents in serious binds, and he can finish off a move he started deeper in midfield. Like his countryman Thomas Muller, Havertz is a space invader, and he constantly gives defenders problems to solve. – Lopopolo
14. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 🇬🇪
Age: 23
Position: Winger
Club: Napoli
Napoli’s awful title defense didn’t stop Kvaratskhelia from adding to his reputation as one of the world’s most exciting wingers. “Kvaradona” was spectacular again last season in Italy, with 20 goal contributions in a campaign interrupted by injuries. The 23-year-old will be the face of Georgia in Germany. The Euro debutant will need all of his elite playmaking skills to avoid a group stage exit. – Brunt
13. Virgil van Dijk 🇳🇱
Age: 32
Position: Center-back
Club: Liverpool
Without Van Dijk’s authoritative defending, Liverpool’s title challenge would’ve been over long before it unraveled over the final weeks of the season. Few players can compete with his ability to progress play with his long strides or passing, and he dominated the Premier League in aerial battles. A back-three of Van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt, and Nathan Ake could forge Euro 2024’s toughest rearguard – but the rest of the Dutch lineup appears uncertain. – Daniel Rouse
12. Florian Wirtz 🇩🇪
Age: 21
Position: Attacking midfielder
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
From scoring goals to creating chances, Wirtz was undoubtedly a huge reason behind Bayer Leverkusen’s success last season. At just 21, Wirtz established himself as a star for the Bundesliga-winning side, becoming one of seven players with over 10 goals and assists each in Europe’s top five leagues. If Wirtz can translate his domestic success to the international stage, Germany could be set for a deep run on home soil. – Brunt
11. Antonio Rudiger 🇩🇪
Age: 31
Position: Center-back
Club: Real Madrid
Like Real Madrid did during their double-winning season, Germany will lean on Rudiger this summer. Entering the tournament as arguably the most in-form defender in the world, Rudiger is renowned for his leadership, physicality, and defensive interventions. But it’s his adventurous streak and lively presence at set-pieces that set the 31-year-old apart from his peers. – Brunt
10. Jamal Musiala 🇩🇪
Age: 21
Position: Attacking midfielder
Club: Bayern Munich
Wolfsburg’s Lukas Nmecha was most impressed by Musiala when he trained with Germany ahead of the 2022 World Cup. “It’s so weird,” Nmecha told theScore. “He’s got some sort of jelly body where he just goes through everyone.” Despite starting only 20 games in the 2023-24 Bundesliga season, Musiala tallied 10 goals and six assists from midfield and was second behind Bayern Munich teammate Sane for successful take-ons. – Rouse
9. Bernardo Silva 🇵🇹
Age: 29
Position: Midfielder/winger
Club: Manchester City
Silva is one of the few players Guardiola has ever given the license to roam. He’s a right-winger by trade and mostly lines up in that position for Manchester City and Portugal, but Silva often does his best work in midfield areas, gaining possession and driving into the penalty area with purpose and a plan. He’s a shifty player with an incredible football IQ, and his quick decision-making skills give Guardiola confidence he’ll do the right thing on the pitch. – Lopopolo
8. Bukayo Saka 🏴
Age: 22
Position: Winger
Club: Arsenal
Saka didn’t let the heartbreak of Euro 2020 disrupt his ascendancy. If anything, missing the decisive penalty in the final spurred him on. He’s become a vital player for both club and country and is perennially playing for silverware. Along with his finishing and vision, Saka’s combination of pace and desire to drive his teams forward makes him so lethal in attack. – Brunt
7. Kevin De Bruyne 🇧🇪
Age: 32
Position: Midfielder
Club: Manchester City
There’s a growing tendency to write De Bruyne off. Injuries, age, and Phil Foden are reducing his influence at Manchester City, apparently. Despite enduring an extended time on the sidelines, the Belgian returned to finish joint third for assists in the 2023-24 Premier League campaign with 10. He only set up three fewer goals than first-placed Ollie Watkins despite playing 38% of the Aston Villa forward’s total minutes. – Rouse
6. Toni Kroos 🇩🇪
Age: 34
Position: Midfielder
Club: Real Madrid
Rather than fade away in inferior competitions, Kroos is retiring at the top. The 34-year-old was dictating games from midfield as Real Madrid conquered Spain and Europe. Now, his final act in professional football will be with host nation Germany, which is trying to recapture the country’s imagination after some miserable performances in recent years. Kroos is among a small group of players who can thrive in that high-pressure environment. – Rouse
5. Phil Foden 🏴
Age: 24
Position: Attacking midfielder
Club: Manchester City
Foden was named Premier League Player of the Season after logging 19 goals, eight assists, and installing himself as one of Manchester City’s leaders. “He was always a talented player, but now he is more mature and understands more the game, especially defensively,” Guardiola said in March. If there’s one lingering criticism about Foden, it’s that he’s never reached those heights with England. – Rouse
4. Rodri 🇪🇸
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Club: Manchester City
Manchester City’s surprise FA Cup final loss to Manchester United in May ended Rodri’s personal unbeaten streak at 74 matches in all competitions. He hadn’t played in a City defeat since February 2023 (excluding penalty shootouts). Trying to wrestle the ball off the midfielder is often a futile and exhausting exercise, and he blends his strength with excellent ball-carrying, a wide repertoire of passes, and a knack of scoring important goals. – Rouse
3. Harry Kane 🏴
Age: 30
Position: Striker
Club: Bayern Munich
The banter brigade won’t leave Kane alone after he left Tottenham Hotspur for trophy-hoarding Bayern Munich in search of silverware yet won nothing. But that wasn’t on him. The England captain smashed a 60-year-old record for goals in a debut Bundesliga season by six (36 total) and added eight strikes in the Champions League before Bayern’s semifinal elimination. Kane is his country’s record scorer with 63 goals. – Rouse
2. Jude Bellingham 🏴
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Club: Real Madrid
Real Madrid should thank Birmingham City for their contribution to a magnificent 2023-24 season. The Blues academy focused on turning a nascent Bellingham into an all-round central midfielder – comfortable as a No. 6, No. 8, and No. 10 – so he was at ease when he was thrust into a more attacking role under Carlo Ancelotti. He bagged 23 goals and 13 assists across all competitions in his first season at Real Madrid. – Rouse
1. Kylian Mbappe 🇫🇷
Age: 25
Position: Forward
Club: Real Madrid
Now that his club career is decided, Mbappe can fully focus on the Euros. And that’s bad news for rivals. After conquering the world with France in 2018, Mbappe will be hungry to add a continental title to his collection. Like Mbappe’s new team, Real Madrid, France is already loaded with enough talent to mount a challenge for silverware. But with the brilliant 25-year-old in the fold, it’ll be win or bust for Les Bleus in Germany. – Brunt
