With UEFA Euro 2024 now over, it is time to reflect on the stand-out stars of the tournament.
Although this tournament will be best remembered for ten own-goals, there were nevertheless several stand-out players in a competitive tournament which saw some minnow teams punch above their expected weights.
Now as the sun sets on Euro 2024, here is my take on the best XI of the entire tournament.
Goalkeeper
Amidst several excellent goalkeeping performances from Diogo Costa’s penalty saves against Slovenia to France’s Mike Maignan keeping four clean sheets, there has been plenty of moments to enjoy in terms of goalkeeping heroics.
England’s Jordan Pickford though has been his usual cut above the rest after a strong season for Everton, which he carried into the tournament with plenty of great punches and touches – especially to deny Netherlands’ Denzel Dumfries and Virgil van Dijk in their semi-final.
Pickford also ranked within England’s top-ten pass makers which showed how impactful he has been when England played out from the back, with more touches in the defensive penalty area and third than any other player.
His crucial save of Manuel Akanji’s spot-kick in the shootout against Switzerland further proved how important he is to England in penalty shootouts, as the Three Lions continued their recent up-turn in shootout performances.
The 30 year-old shot-stopper therefore has earned his place in this XI on pure performance alone.
Defence
No right-back was more impactful at this tournament than Spain’s Dani Carvajal with the Spaniard proving a nightmare for oppositional left wingers with his aggressive defensive press, whilst also proving an important player on the attacking overlap up the right and one goal to boot.
In central defence, there has been strong performances from France’s William Saliba to Spain’s Robin Le Normand, but England’s Marc Guehi deserves serious credit for his defensive resilience which has seen him dig in and save the Three Lions’ bacon on several occasions with his blocks.
At left-back, Marc Cucurella has absolutely been a top surprise for Spain with his pace, blocks and tackles in marked contrast to his form for Chelsea across last season, which shows that he still has the quality as evidenced by his assist in Spain’s title clinching moment.
Midfield
Starting with the central position, Spain’s Fabian Ruiz has stood out because whilst he has been excellent in sparking attacking moves, he has also done a fantastic job defensively in a series of underrated but impressive displays which surely has attracted attention in the transfer market.
England’s Kobbie Mainoo might not of stood out across the tournament but at 18 years-old, he has quietly been solid with his ball control in breaking the press, whilst showing composure and maturity despite not having played in the starting line-up until the knockouts.
16 year-old Lamine Yamal has also been another stand-out for Spain with his energetic attacking displays on the right flank, particularly when it comes to creating attacks from out wide with progressive carries and he hasn’t been shy in delivering his shots unlike many of his teammates.
Completing the midfield is Dani Olmo because there is no doubt that he has been a huge influence in Spain’s attacking play this season, evident by three goals and two assists on top of his quality passing ability and press which has been an issue for many teams.
Forward
Although England were hardly vintage all tournament, Bukayo Saka has been one of the stand-out players with his excellent creative play on the right flank weaponizing his awesome pace and technical skill whilst also impressively filling in at left-back on occasion.
Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo might not of enjoyed consistency in terms of starts and goalscoring runs for Liverpool last season, but he has been one of the best forwards at this tournament with his intensity, movement and end product especially when played on the left-wing.
Out on the left position, Spain’s Nico Williams had simply been consistently impressive all tournament with his pace, technique and quality, which has seen him prove a nightmare for defenders whilst playing a huge part in Spain’s attacking play throughout this past month.
Substitutes
Goalkeeper – Netherlands’ Bart Verbruggen at 21 years-old has more than held his own in his first major tournament with excellent saves and can only get better.
Defender – Although primarily played as a defensive midfielder for England, Declan Rice’s stats have been more impressive than most defenders underlining his defensive impact at this tournament.
Midfielder – Jude Bellingham had been a huge bright spark for England with clinical individual moments but small dips of little quality at times meant that he doesn’t make the main XI.
Forward – Like Bellingham, Harry Kane had hardly been at his vintage best for England all tournament yet three goals showed how clinical he was in the big moments.
Manager
Although there has been managers who have overseen teams like Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia punch above their weight in this tournament, Spain’s Luis de la Fuente has been a class above every manager.
From his high-press style of play with a proper attacking intensity, De la Fuente certainly delivered a dominant team who went unbeaten all tournament with exciting performances in which players oozed confidence throughout whilst understanding their roles individually.
I also was impressed with how he blended youth and experience especially in the case of Yamal who was 16 years-old when the tournament began, yet he fitted in naturally with little nerves and hit his stride in the knockout to justify de la Fuente’s gamble in taking the teen.
Now the big question is whether Spain can kick on and follow up their UEFA Nations League plus Euro success with this generation, especially going into 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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