Mbappe, Kane, Ronaldo, others make Euro 2024 favourite stars

 

By Christoph Lother and Thomas Esser, dpa

BERLIN – Euro 2024 features some of the finest footballers in the world, and Frenchman Kylian Mbappe and England’s Harry Kane could be vital in the title bids.

Top favourites France are led by Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane’s England also hope for silverware, and the eternal Cristiano Ronaldo will also seek another trophy with Portugal at Euro 2024.

However, resurgent hosts Germany, fellow triple champions Spain and title holders Italy should not be counted out either at the June 14-July 14 tournament.

Here dpa takes a look at the top contenders:

France: Les Bleus have two titles each from the World Cup and the Euros, and Didier Deschamps’ side are considered top favourites by many. Mbappe, whose Real Madrid move has now been confirmed, leads their fearsome attack which also includes Paris Saint-Germain team-mates Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani, as well as AC Milan veteran Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann.

Mbappe was part of the squad that won the 2018 World Cup but his hat-trick in the 2022 final against Argentina was not enough to avoid defeat. France won the Euros in 1984 and 2000, were runners-up in 2016 but suffered a shock last 16 exit against Switzerland in 2021. This time, they will face the Netherlands, winners of the last Euros in Germany in 1988, Austria and Robert Lewandowski’s Poland in the group stage.

England: The Three Lions were close to a first big title since lifting the World Cup in 1966 at the last Euros before losing the home final at Wembley on penalties against Italy. Gareth Southgate’s team now makes another attempt, still led by Kane who has also shone in his debut season at Bayern Munich by becoming Bundesliga top scorer.

Youngsters Phil Foden of 2023 treble winners Manchester City and Jude Bellingham from Champions League and La Liga winners Real Madrid have further matured to raise hopes that the long title drought can finally end, with Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia awaiting them in the group stage.

Germany: The hosts are a somewhat unknown quantity. They were in decline after winning a fourth World Cup title in 2014 and reaching the Euro 2016 semis. Group stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and a last 16 elimination at Euro 2021 were new lows along with poor 2023 results.

But new coach Julian Nagelsmann may have managed a turnaround and generated new excitement with March victories against France and the Netherlands. The return from international retirement of Real’s Toni Kroos has led to midfield stability, and Kroos will hope to end his glittering career with the only big title eluding him.

Young stars Jamal Musiala from Bayern Munich and Florian Wirtz from Bundesliga and German Cup winners Bayer Leverkusen are exciting players up front. Germany were handed a rather kind group draw against Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland.

Spain: La Roja’s glory days with Euro titles 2008 and 2012, plus World Cup success in-between in 2010 are long over. But after not going beyond the last 16 at the next four big events they reached the last four in 2021.

Coach Luis de la Fuente has an exciting squad at his disposal, ranging from City’s Rodri to Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig and veteran Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata. Spain also have two very young Barca super talents in Lamine Yamal (16) and Pau Cubarsi (17). Like Germany, Spain are not top contenders but can not be counted out, despite having to face Italy and Croatia in a tough group that also includes Albania.

Portugal: At age 39 Ronaldo remains the biggest star of Portugal who won Euro 2016 by beating hosts France in the final. Ronaldo injured himself early in that match and would love nothing more than appearing in another final to cap a record sixth appearance at the Euros.

The veteran boasts a world record of more than 200 caps, scored 10 goals in qualifying and 40+ goals for his Saudi club Al-Nassr but it remains to be seen how he can cope with a heavy Euro schedule and whether the rest of the team also has the class to go far. Portugal’s group stage opponents are Turkey, the Czech Republic and debutants Georgia.

Italy: The Squadra Azzurra were somewhat surprise champions in 2021, then missed a second straight World Cup in 2022 and only qualified for the Euros on the final day. Now coached by Luciano Spalletti, who guided Napoli to a first Serie A title in 2023, the team lacks top stars and its once famed defence is not as stable as in the past.

But Italy can never be counted out, having reached three of the last six finals, and lifting the trophy three years ago. But first they must get out of the group with Spain, Croatia and Albania.