Description
England national soccer team midfielders Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham are among the top players in Europe for the 2023-2024 season. Palmer, born in 2002, plays for Chelsea (England) and was named the league's Young Player of the Year after scoring 22 goals and providing 10 assists in 34 league appearances.
Bellingham, born in 2003, helped Real Madrid (Spain) win the UEFA Champions League and league titles with 23 goals and 13 assists in 42 official games.
At the European Football Championship 2024 (Euro 2024), which kicks off on June 15 in Germany, there are many "young stars" following in Bellingham's and Palmer's footsteps. Already playing at the highest level in the world, U21 players and even teenagers are hoping to make the leap to the next level of soccer stardom at their first major tournament.
Take 2005-born midfielder Arda Güler (Real Madrid), for example. Dubbed the "Turkish Messi," Güler was a highly sought-after signing by Real Madrid after a competitive battle with rivals Barcelona. Early on, Güler showed off his perfect ball control and dribbling skills and is already being touted as the heir apparent to Luka Modric's number 10 shirt. The "soccer prodigy" made his debut in the Fenerbahçe (Turkkiye) first team in the 2021-2022 season at the age of 16 and scored a goal, but injuries have kept him from making an impact at Real Madrid and the national team. 'BRfootball' called him "the player Real Madrid will be watching at the Euros".
Born in 2007, winger Yarmin Yamal plays for Barcelona and represents Spain. He is the latest in a long line of soccer talents to be recognized as the "greatest talent" in the history of Barcelona's youth program, which has produced countless soccer talents since Lionel Messi (Miami). Called up to Barcelona's senior team for the 2022-2023 season, Yamal became the youngest first-team player in the club's history last season, setting new records for the youngest starter in 토토 the league and the youngest player to score and assist. In 47 official games, Yamal has seven goals and six assists.
After being heavily pursued by Spain and Morocco, Yamal chose to play his first Euro with Spain. Yamal made his debut against Northern Ireland on Aug. 8, playing 72 minutes in a 5-1 victory and recording two assists. Also representing Spain is Barcelona midfielder Fernin López, born in 2003. Possessing excellent kicking ability, López scored 11 goals and provided one assist in 42 official appearances in the 2023-2024 season.
Benfica (Portugal) defensive midfielder João Neves, born in 2004, represents Portugal. He's been called one of the "10 most coveted players in world soccer," and Manchester United (England) have long been interested in signing him.
Benjamin Cesco, a 2023 Leipzig (Germany) striker who has been touted as the "next Elling Holland," was named to Slovenia's squad. Cesko is expected to join the EPL this summer, with interest from Arsenal, Man United, and Chelsea. European big clubs are also interested in 2003-born Belgian forward Yohan Bakayoko, who scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 48 official games for PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) last season.
Other notable talents include Kenan Yıldız, a Turkish forward born in 2005 who has played for Bayern Munich (Germany) and Juventus (Italy), and Bradley Barcola, a 2002 forward who was named to the French national team as a teammate of Lee Kang-In.
England defensive midfielder Kobi Mainu, born in 2005, who scored the winning goal for Manchester United in last month's FA Cup final, is also touted as the next big thing.