Euro 2024 ended in an exciting finale last Sunday, with Spain winning 2-1 over England in Berlin. While new stars like Yamal and Frederico grabbed global attention, some big names couldn’t live up to their reputation.
International tournaments put a lot of pressure on players, and stars like Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo seemed overwhelmed. Harry Kane, who had an excellent club season, also struggled at Euro 2024. In this article, WSG looks at five top players who fell short of expectations.
Kylian Mbappe (France)
Kylian Mbappe, who wowed the world at the Qatar World Cup, was one of Euro 2024’s biggest letdowns. In the first match against Austria, he got an unexpected nose injury that threw him off.
Even though he quickly returned with a nose guard, he couldn’t find his groove. France, the favorites, suffered because Mbappe wasn’t at his best, scoring only one goal from open play in the tournament. 
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Euro 2024 was special, especially since it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s last appearance. Despite his remarkable career, Ronaldo yearned for another major title for Portugal, but it was not meant to be.
He played more minutes than any other Portuguese player but didn’t score even once. His frustration grew as chances dried up, especially after missing a penalty against Slovenia in the round of 16. The beloved player ended his tournament in tears after losing to France, unable to help his team.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold He came to Euro 2024 with high expectations, especially with Gareth Southgate playing in midfield. But this change didn’t work out.
Known for his attacking skills, the Liverpool player performed poorly. His sloppy play and lack of control in midfield resulted in heavy criticism, and he was eventually replaced. Southgate’s decision to bring in Kobbie Mainoo helped England finish as runners-up.
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
Romelu Lukaku, a key player for Belgium for years, frequently faces criticism for missing crucial opportunities. He came to Euro 2024 after a decent season with AS Roma, but the tournament was a nightmare.
Lukaku was expected to lead with a young team, but he had bad luck. VAR disallowed three goals, preventing him from scoring, which hurt Belgium’s attack and limited Kevin De Bruyne’s impact. This led to a poor performance against France.
Antoine Griezmann (France)
Antoine Griezmann, usually a star for France, didn’t shine at Euro 2024. Unlike his usual playmaking self, Griezmann struggled to create chances.
His movements were off, and his passing wasn’t sharp. French coach Didier Deschamps benched him before the crucial semi-final because of his poor performance. France’s low goal tally highlighted Griezmann’s disappointing play.
