The Euro 2024 concluded with Spain lifting the title, cementing their status as the undisputed champions. 51 matches took place across 10 cities, offering four weeks of continuous action with 4,650 minutes of game time. The tournament was filled with drama, action, and thrills, witnessing many big teams falter and underdogs pulling off shocking upsets.
Emotion ran high as the football world bid farewell to legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, and Toni Kroos, who played their last Euros. Future superstars like Lamine Yamal and Jamal Musiala made a mark, leaving a memorable impact with their performances. There were also superstars like Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo, who did not significantly influence their teams’ performances.
In this context, after a minute analysis, WSG comes up with the Best XI of Euro 2024. 
GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia)
The Georgian goalkeeper stood out with his exceptional performance. At 6ft 6in, he made the most saves in the competition despite playing only four matches, totaling 29 saves. His most impressive performance came against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, where he made five crucial saves, denying players like Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes. Mamardashvili’s stellar performance helped Georgia reach Round 16 in their first major international tournament.
RB: Dani Carvajal (Spain)
The seasoned Real Madrid player had a remarkable season. Besides securing victories in the Champions League, La Liga, and the Spanish Super Cup with Real Madrid, he added the Euro 2024 trophy to his collection. His outstanding performances positioned him as a contender for the Ballon d’Or. Carvajal achieved a passing accuracy of 91.8% in the tournament, along with 18 recoveries, 5 tackles, and 6 interceptions.
CB: William Saliba (France)
Arsenal’s defender had an incredible season. Initially, there were doubts about his place in the side, but he became a mainstay in the defense. Before this competition, he had only 22 appearances for Les Bleus. In this tournament, he stood out by delivering consistent defensive performances. Saliba was never dispossessed in the tournament. With Saliba and Upamecano in defense, France kept four clean sheets.
CB: Marc Guehi (England)
Guehi’s standout performances, especially alongside John Stones, helped England reach the finals in consecutive editions. Before the competition, he had 20 appearances for the national team. He played a key role against Slovenia and Serbia, keeping clean sheets in the group stage. Guehi finished the tournament with 28 recoveries, the second-most on the team, and won 13 aerial duels.
LB: Marc Cucurella (Spain)
Marc Cucurella responded well to early critics, proving himself the best left-back in the tournament. His impressive assist set up Mikel Oyarzabal to score the winning goal for Spain in the final. Throughout the tournament, Cucurella maintained an average speed of 32 km/h and covered 8.5 kilometers per match while actively participating in attacks. His efforts were vital in Spain’s victory. He finished with 21 recoveries, 9 tackles, and 8 interceptions.
CM: Rodri (Spain)
Rodri has developed a habit of winning trophies, adding another to his collection. He played the anchor role perfectly, completing 411 passes with a 92.8% accuracy in the tournament. His goal against Georgia in the last 16 helped La Roja get back in the competition after an early setback. The Manchester City player made 41 recoveries, the most by any player, won 8 tackles, and made two excellent blocks to prevent the opponents from scoring. His outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
CM: Declan Rice (England)
Declan Rice led England to the finals, playing a crucial role in controlling the game’s tempo. He played every minute for England, totaling 690 minutes without missing any action. His assist against Switzerland led to Bukayo Saka’s equalizer. Rice created four chances, made 37 recoveries, completed 15 tackles, 8 interceptions, and 3 crucial blocks. These impressive stats earned him a spot in the final squad.
RW: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
The young prodigy from the famous La Masia academy took Euro 2024 by storm, deservedly winning the Best Young Player of the Tournament for his exploits. Lamine Yamal scored one of the tournament’s goals, netting the equalizer that set the tone for Spain’s comeback against France. The 17-year-old also registered the most assists in the competition with 4. His pace and exhilarating dribbling caused plenty of problems for the opposition. Yamal played a pivotal role in the final by setting up Nico Williams for the opening goal. Keep an eye on him; he has already showcased his potential for future competitions.
AM: Dani Olmo (Spain)
Dani Olmo, the creative maestro for Spain, was a standout performer. He scored three goals, putting him among six players who shared the Golden Boot award. Olmo’s notable contributions were crucial to Spain’s success, especially in their attacking play. In a match against Germany, he scored the opening goal and assisted Mikel Merino, showcasing his impact on the team’s performance.
LW: Jamal Musiala (Germany)
Jamal Musiala was a standout player for Germany, playing a crucial role in their journey to the quarterfinals. Despite their elimination, he finished as one of the joint top scorers with three goals. Musiala impressed everyone with his performance and benefitted from the Nagelsmann system. This system allowed him to play from his favored position, often cutting inside to score spectacular goals. His dribbling ability was a joy to watch, making it tough for the opposition to mark him.
ST: Harry Kane (England)
Harry Kane was unlucky in losing the Euro Cup in consecutive editions. Following a successful season with Bayern Munich, winning the Golden Boot after scoring 44 goals, he continued his good form into the Euros. Kane was a joint winner of the Golden Boot alongside Dani Olmo, Jamal Musiala, Cody Gakpo, and two others. Although Kane’s performance was outstanding, it wasn’t enough to secure the trophy, as this competition relies on team effort, which England lacked in the final. He played a significant role in leading the Three Lions to the finals by scoring against Denmark, Netherlands, and Slovakia.
