Euro 2024, held in Germany, initially promised a spectacle of established stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane, Toni Kroos, and Kylian Mbappe. However, the tournament unfolded with a captivating narrative – the rise of young talent. The 17th edition of the European Championship became a stage for some of the world’s most promising young footballers to showcase their abilities and maturity beyond their years. As the tournament concludes with the final in Berlin’s Olympiastadion, we highlight five exceptional young players who have left their mark.
The golden boy of Spain, Lamine Yamal, emerged as a household name as the tournament progressed. At just 17 years old, he became the youngest player in Euro 2024 history and the youngest to provide an assist during the group stage. Yamal, a right-winger, leads the competition with the most chances created for Spain (14) and is tied for the most assists (3). He delivered a magical moment in the semifinal against France, receiving a pass from captain Alvaro Morata near the French penalty area and curling a precise shot past Mike Maignan to secure Spain’s semifinal berth. This strike broke Pele’s record, making Yamal the youngest player to score in a major competition.
England’s midfielder, Kobbie Mainoo, has become a vital component of Gareth Southgate’s team, which reached the Euro 2024 final. Despite limited minutes in the group stage, Mainoo’s confident performances earned him starting roles in subsequent knockout matches. His 91.5% pass completion percentage in the opponent’s half ranks second only to John Stones within the English squad. The 19-year-old has created three chances for England, demonstrating a promising playmaking ability.
The ‘Turkish Messi,’ Arda Guler, illuminated the tournament with his flair and poise on the ball. The Real Madrid starlet was instrumental in Turkey’s quarterfinal run, beginning his Euro 2024 campaign with a stunning goal against Georgia in their Group F opener. He provided two assists and ranked just behind Yamal in the overall assist leaderboard. Guler also completed 20 successful dribbles, showcasing his exceptional dribbling skills. In Turkey’s round of 16 match against Austria, Guler led his team to victory despite the absence of captain Hakan Calhanoglu.
Xavi Simons, a Dutch midfielder, was one of the players to watch out for in Euro 2024. The 21-year-old played a crucial role in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad, which reached the semifinal. Simons’ performances were key in propelling the Dutch to their best finish in major tournaments since the 2014 World Cup. He has two assists to his name and scored a brilliant long-range strike against England in the semifinal, securing the opener and putting Jordan Pickford under pressure.
Despite Portugal’s underwhelming performance under Cristiano Ronaldo’s leadership, the Selecao discovered a future star in Francisco Conceicao. The 21-year-old forward showcased his talent on the continental stage, displaying impressive speed and dynamism. Conceicao, the son of former Portuguese player Sergio Conceicao, played 181 minutes across four matches, registering the tournament’s top speed of 33.9 km/h. He came on as a substitute in the 90th minute of Portugal’s opening match against the Czech Republic and scored his first goal for the national team two minutes later, securing a 2-1 victory.
These young players have not only captivated audiences with their technical skills but also demonstrated a level of maturity that belies their age. Their performances at Euro 2024 have hinted at a bright future for these promising talents, leaving fans and pundits alike eagerly anticipating their continued development on the global stage.
