Euro 2024 is a chance for the biggest stars in the world to show off their skills – but there’s always a young player who makes their name on the big stage.
As well as the usual superstar names, there are plenty of talented youngsters hoping for the chance to showcase their abilities on the pitch.
But who are the players coming through the ranks who could shine this summer?
Warren Zaïre-Emery
Warren Zaire-Emery became France’s youngest player in over a century to play and score for the national team.
In August 2022, he made his professional debut for PSG, becoming the club’s youngest-ever player, and he recently extended his contract with the club which will see him there for the next five years.
Strong and quick on the ball, Warren was born in Paris and raised only a few miles away from fellow countryman Kylian Mbappe, and the 18-year-old could shine for Les Bleus in Germany this summer.
Kenan Yildiz
The German-born 19-year-old playmaker is now a breakthrough star for Juventus and Turkey. Hopes are high that he can help his country get through a competitive group and into the knockout phase for the first time since they reached the semi-finals in Euro 2008.
Yildiz has been gradually introduced to international prominence by national team boss Vincenzo Montella and scored his first goal for Turkey in a friendly victory over Germany in November.
Antonio Silva
The 20-year-old center-back has already been to a major tournament with Portugal at last year’s Mundial in Qatar, where he became the youngest player ever to represent his country at a World Cup.
A composed old-school defender, excellent at 1v1 defending, with great quality on the ball. Silva has been a rock in a Benfica defence that conceded just 28 goals in 34 league games this season.
Xavi Simons
Xavi may only be 21, but the rising Dutch star has already played for the likes of PSG and Barcelona – where he spent nine years at the famous La Masia youth academy.
During his time there he became one of the Spanish club’s most highly-rated young players and with his skills and versatility, playing as an attacking midfielder and left and right-winger, it’s easy to see why.
Xavi has represented and scored for the Netherlands at youth level but has yet to find the back of the net with the senior side. Could Euro 2024 be the turning point in his international career?
Arda Güler
Another young star who has broken records to become the youngest goalscorer for their country is Arda Guler – whose skills have earned him the nickname of the ‘Turkish Messi’.
He signed for Real Madrid last year despite strong interest from clubs including Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris St-Germain.
Guler is versatile enough to play in several attacking roles and his close control and dribbling skills could well make him one to watch this summer.
Don’t sleep on Joao Neves, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Benjamin Sesko.