The final international break of the 2023-24 season is almost over, meaning attention will soon turn back to club football, the climax of a thrilling Premier League title race and Champions League powerhouse last eight.
But these friendlies and the final playoff qualifiers have given us a taste of Euro 2024 this summer. And we think it's becoming a traditional tournament in Germany.
Unlike Qatar or Russia, there aren't as many disturbing moral conflicts in the host nation, which is home to some iconic stadiums, strong infrastructure and a soccer-obsessed population.
The soccer itself should be sensational. We've put together a complete eleven of the best players we can't wait to see at Euro 2024, featuring up to one player from each country.
GK: Jan Oblak
Spoiler alert: Most of the XI will feature players who represent heavy hitters or tournament favorites.
But we'll start with one of our favorite things about international football. It's about him being a world-class player, one of the best players in his position in world football, and representing a team that didn't have a chance.
Oblak's stock has dipped a bit after a few relatively so-so seasons at Atletico Madrid, but he's still unbeatable to this day thanks to his heroics in Atleti's penalty shoot-out victory over Inter in the Champions League It reminded me of that.
Slovenia's team-mates represent clubs from Italy, Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Russia, Switzerland and Norway, none of which are well-known.
Oblak will need to be at his best if he is to defy the odds and advance from the group that includes England, Serbia and Denmark.
Read: Will you be at Euro 2024? 10 great host stadiums in Germany this summer
RB: João Cancelo
The past few years have been a strange series of ups and downs for Cancelo. Until recently he was considered by many to be the best full-back in the Premier League.
After suddenly falling out of favor under Josep Guardiola, he failed to turn up for the Manchester City manager during an unforgettable loan spell at Bayern.
He then moved to Barcelona and has quietly enjoyed a very solid season despite the Catalan club's struggles.
Portugal faces competition from the in-form and resurgent Diogo Dalot, but we still back him to start and prove his quality at Euro 2024 this summer. .
CB: Alessandro Bastoni
It will be strange to see the Azzurri in a major without Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, but Italy continues to do what they do best, producing grizzled, stubborn centre-backs.
Bastoni is coming off the best season of his club career heading into Euro 2024. He plays a key role in Inter's impending Scudetto, which is likely to break all kinds of defensive records.
With the 24-year-old at the heart of the backline, the Nerazzurri have conceded just 14 goals in 29 games, which equates to Europe's best defensive record, and they have kept 17 clean sheets. There is.
CB: Virgil van Dijk
The Liverpool captain reflected on his best performance in this season's title challenge. After a fallow period, he was back to at least regularly qualifying, but he never reached the glorious heights of representing his country.
It won't be easy to break through Oranje's back line, which features Van Dijk and excellent defenders such as Nathan Ake, Matthijs de Ligt and Micky van de Ven.
LB: Andrew Robertson
Scotland qualified for the European Championship for the second year in a row under coach Steve Clarke and captain Andy Robertson after not qualifying for a major competition for more than 20 years.
They fought through a tough qualifying round, defeating Norway with Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland, and finishing runners-up to Spain.
That experience will be an advantage in a group that includes hosts Germany, Switzerland and Hungary, but the Liverpool left-back is relishing the opportunity.
“We've given them a great night this campaign and we're going to give them a great summer too,” Robertson said after a 3-3 draw with Norway in November clinched Scotland's place in the finals. Ta.
“Everyone I talk to has already booked or plans to go to Germany. I think it's going to be a decent tournament this time.
“Last time we were just starting to get fans back. It was home Euros and there were only 10,000 here. [Hampden Park] And that's all that's allowed.
“This time I guarantee there will be more than 10,000 people.” [Scottish fans] into German. we are excited. It feels like it's still a long way off, but I'm confident it will happen soon. ”
Take our quiz: Can you name the top 30 Scottish goalscorers in Premier League history?
DM: Rodri
There's a good reason why he's widely regarded as the best defensive midfielder in world football. It's been over a year since Rodri tasted defeat at Manchester City.
Spain don't boast quite as many world-class superstars as they once did, but having Rodri at the base of their midfield gives them the foundation to dictate the tempo and impose a possession-oriented style on any opposition. Dew.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne
Belgium's 'golden generation' is slowly fading away, with star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois likely to miss Euro 2024 after sustaining another serious knee injury.
But the Red Devils still have De Bruyne, who is as good as ever. The playmaker has appeared in 12 games and recorded 13 assists since returning from injury in early 2024.
Having Romelu Lukaku (who still has a huge track record for his country) as a supplier is a dangerous combination.
CM: Luka Modric
The era-defining Croatian and arguably his country's best ever player looks set to have his last dance in Germany this summer.
Modric, 38, is out of contract with Real Madrid at the end of this season. The rebuilding of the midfield has already been completed and it looks like the time will finally come for him to leave the Bernabéu. And he will be 40 years old by the time the next World Cup starts.
Euro 2024 could be the last chance to see the midfield wizard at the top level. Savor every second.
Quiz: Can you name the most capped player from 25 European countries?
FWR: Jamal Musiala
Musiala, the squarest peg in this eleven, has tended to be used on the left or central area for Bayern this season. However, he has been featured on the right wing from time to time, including in the 3-0 win against Stuttgart earlier this season, which is good enough for us.
The German golden rule is never write off. But after recent struggles and tournament disappointments, many have foolishly forgotten about it.
Their recent 2-0 friendly win against Euro 2024 favorites France proved they are ready in time for the Euros.
And in Musiala, Julian Nagelsmann is blessed with one of the most exciting attackers in Europe.
The 21-year-old has scored five goals and provided four assists in his last five Bundesliga games and appears to be hitting his peak at the perfect time. He's also one of the scariest dribblers at the moment.
ST: Harry Kane
Gareth Southgate's captain, who at 30 is already England's all-time top scorer, may extend his trophy drought to end the 2023-24 season, but he is now looking to stay in shape with his life. ing.
It is almost certain that Kane will win the European Golden Shoe for scoring the most points in Europe's five major leagues. He has already reached a career high and could even break Robert Lewandowski's Bundesliga record.
FWL: Kylian Mbappe
In the coming months, Mbappé will have his sights set on two major accolades that have so far eluded him during his illustrious career: the Champions League and the European Championship.
A relatively easy draw in the quarter-finals could see PSG reach the Champions League final and secure a fairy-tale walk-off victory for their hometown club.
Further European glory would follow at Les Bleus. It would be foolish to bet against him in this form, scoring 38 goals in all competitions in 2023-24, that he can perform on either front.
What's truly frightening is his scoring record for France when compared to his peers Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He's going to break all kinds of records.
Bench: Martin Dubravka, David Alaba, Radu Dragusin, Vladimir Coufal, Granit Xhaka, Dominik Szoboszlai, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Arda Güler, Armando Broja, Rasmus Hojlund
Read next: Everything released and leaked so far Euro 2024: England and France look very smart…
Take our quiz: Can you name the highest scorer from 25 European countries?
