UEFA Euro 2024: The 10 star players looking to light up the Euros this summer - including players from France, England and Spain

What more can you say about the Real Madrid superstar? He’s taken to European and international football like a duck to water and is already heading to his THIRD major tournament before he’s even reached the age of 21. Notching 19 goals and six assists in his debut La Liga campaign at the Bernabeu, he collected a league and UEFA Champions League double in his first season at the club and is tipped to be a future Ballon d’Or winner sooner rather than later.

Xavi Simons (Netherlands)

Once linked with Rangers, the Barcelona playmaker has exploded on the scene in the past couple of seasons after astonishing loan spells at both PSV Eindhoven and Red Bull Leipzig. Already a regular for the Dutch national team at 21, Simons racked up an impressive eight goals and 11 assists in the Bundesliga last term and has been linked to European giants Bayern Munich and Arsenal - though it is thought Barcelona will aim to give him a chance at the Nou Camp following his outstanding performances on the continent. Definitely one to watch at the Euros with the Netherlands.

Florian Wirtz (Germany)

The 21-year-old playmaker was named the Bundesliga player of the season after helping guide Bayer Leverkusen to their first ever meisterschale. Xabi Alonso’s side secured their first ever double, going the entire domestic campaign unbeaten. They also made the final of the Europa League and Wirtz was right at the centre of it for Die Werkself, scoring a total of 18 goals and assisting a further 19 across the campaign. His form has resulted in German giants Bayern Munich making him their key target this summer, and it is easy to see why he is highly rated by the Germany’s biggest club.

Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine)

A revelation for Girona in La Liga this last season, the six foot two Ukrainian topped the scoring charts in Spain with 24 goals in 36 games - an average of a goal every 109 minutes. Linked with a move to Chelsea earlier this week, the Cherkasy born target man is a real physical presence up top, while also capable with the ball at his feet. While Ukraine required a play-off to qualify for the tournament, their group is definitely a winnable one and it could be Dovbyk that provides the spark to fire them into the knockouts.

Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary)

The Liverpool midfielder made the transition from the Bundesliga to the EPL with consummate ease, playing 33 games across his debut campaign and impressing the Anfield faithful. His switch from Red Bull Leipzig one of one Jurgen Klopp’s top buys in his final campaign with the club and it looks like excellent business based on his first season with the Reds. The box-to-box player is Hungary’s captain and, at 23, is ready to explode on the world stage. Scored four goals in eight games during Euro 2024 qualifying.

Benjamin Sesko (Slovenia)

Another Bundesliga star that has enjoyed an outstanding campaign for his club is this 21-year-old Slovenian striker. Without doubt his country’s star man, the Red Bull Leipzig forward scored 14 goals in his debut campaign for the club after a summer transfer from Salzburg. Linked with a big-money switch to Arsenal this summer, he also scored an impressive five goals in nine qualifying games to fire his nation to the tournament.

Bernardo Silva (Portugal)

For a player that consistently produces for both club and country season upon season, the 29-year-old Manchester City star doesn’t quite get the fanfare his team mates do. He’s won just about everything there is to be one domestically, alongside the European Championships with Portugal in 2016. His nation are the fourth favourites to win the tournament, such is the quality throughout of Roberto Martinez’s Portuguese side with Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Dias but Silva is the player we’re picking out as their key player.

John McGinn (Scotland)

Maybe it’s that strange feeling of optimism they describe in the new Irn Bru adverts, but there’s a feeling of genuine positivity throughout Scotland heading into the tournament. The ex-Hibs favourite has moulded into one of the best midfielders in Europe over the last few years and was pivotal for Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side as they qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 1982–1983 season (when it was then known as the European Cup). He contributed six goals and four assists to Villa’s season and often shows up when it matters on the international stage. Is McGinn’s defining moment in a Scotland shirt coming this summer?

Rodri (Spain)

The Manchester City defensive midfielder is arguably the best holding midfielder in the world at present. Vital to his club, he’s equally as important to his country. While Spain don’t enter the tournament as favourites, you can never fully underestimate them - especially with Rodri pulling the strings in the middle. Despite playing deeper, the 27-year-old scored eight goals and contributed nine assists as City lifted their four consecutive title, which is largely down to his excellent decision making in key areas of the pitch. Spain’s best player and definitely one to watch in Germany.

Kylian Mbappe (France)

Saving the best until last, we have Real Madrid’s newest superstar. Signed earlier this week by the Spanish champions in a megabucks move, the French forward is one of the world’s best footballers. Despite ending up on the losing side, his performance in the final of the World Cup in Qatar 2022 is one of the best individual performances ever at a major tournament. He’s won 16 domestic trophies during his time with Paris Saint-Germain, the World Cup in 2018, while his collection of individual honours is astonishing. The 25-year-old player will be fired up to ensure he doesn’t leave this tournament empty handed and is the current favourite to win player of the tournament.