Five Young Players to Watch For During the Euro 2024
With the UEFA European Football Championship kicking off in Germany on Friday night, there is much to look forward to. As one of the most exciting soccer tournaments in the world behind the World Cup, the Euros consistently captivate fans globally. The last edition of the Euros in 2021 was nothing short of dramatic. Whether it was the heartbreaking shootout that cost the Three Lions the trophy to the first international soccer tournament since the COVID pandemic, the Euro 2020 was a spectacular display of footballing skill and excitement, bringing fans all across the world together.
This Friday’s tournament will also be the mark of a new chapter, one that brings much excitement just like the tournament three years ago. The tournament is host to some spectacular headlines: How will the German hosts fare in hopes of returning to their old days of glory? Will England be able to finally bring it home? But, beyond a team standpoint, there are many individual storylines to keep track of.
This tournament is the last international participation of many stars of this football generation with Toni Kroos, Olivier Giroud, and Luka Modric some of the stars hanging up their boots. However, the Euros is also a stage for budding stars to rise in fame and earn themselves a pay raise. The Euro 2020 saw players like Pedri and Phil Foden excel on the international stage.
With the pool of footballing talent seeming to exponentially grow year by year, this summer’s Euro 2024 is the perfect place for young talent to become household names by the end of the summer. Here are five young stars that will shine for their country this month.
Florian Wirtz
Age: 21
Country: Germany
Taking the world by storm this past season helping Bayer Leverkusen win their first-ever Bundesliga and DFB Pokal, Florian Wirtz was a key cog in Xabi Alonso’s squad. Helping Leverkusen with their historic season, which included an unprecedented 51-game unbeaten run, Wirtz will look to play a similar role in Nagelsmann’s Germany squad. Wirtz’s attacking prowess along with his dazzling dribbles and precise passes make him one of the most entertaining footballers in this tournament. The 21-year-old was stalwart in German lineups before the Euros and will look to cement his standing as an untouchable player throughout the group stages.
Adam Wharton
Age: 20
Country: England
Since inking a transfer from Blackburn to Crystal Palace in the winter transfer window, Adam Wharton has taken the Premier League by storm. Earning his first senior English cap in May, Wharton has nothing but excelled during the England friendlies leading up to the Euros. Making England manager Gareth Southgate’s final roster ahead of stars such as James Maddison and Jack Grealish highlights the manager’s trust in Wharton. His ball control and confidence for a 20-year-old is outstanding and he is sure to turn heads this month.
Lamine Yamal
Age: 16
Country: Spain
The youngest player to be featured in this month’s competition, Yamal will be just 16 years old when competing in one of the largest soccer stages in the world. The Barcelona wonderkid will have no issue with that, though, as he broke into the Barcelona first-team this season. The youngest player to play in the Champions League knockout phase, Yamal made an eye-opening 22 starts for Barca, who placed second in the La Liga. Yamal will continue his rise to stardom this month as he stars for the Spanish national team who have high aspirations for the tournament.
Xavi Simons
Age: 21
Country: Netherlands
A slew of injuries to the Dutch squad in the past week will put 21-year-old Simons at the forefront of Ronald Koeman’s attack. Simons, who spent this past season on loan at RB Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain, played a critical role in the Red Bulls attack. Recording 8 goals and 11 assists, Simons finished the Bundesliga season tied second for the most assists in the German league. Simons will hope to continue his top form this month as he helps the Oranje reach the knockout stages and make some real noise within the tournament.
Benjamin Šeško
Age: 21
Country: Slovenia
Prolific striker Benjamin Šeško will star in a main role this summer for the Slovenian national team. Šeško has already been in the headlines this month as he was closely linked to a summer transfer to Arsenal in the Premier League, before ultimately inking a contract extension with his original club, RB Leipzig. Scoring 14 goals in the Bundesliga last season, the star striker hopes to bring Slovenia, a country of just over 2 million inhabitants, some glory and pride this month.
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