As Euro 2024 rapidly approaches, anticipation is building around which stars will shine brightest on Europe’s grandest footballing stage.
With the continent’s finest talents set to converge on Germany, the race for the Player of the Tournament accolade is one of the most thrilling subplots.
The competition is set to be fierce, so, in this article, we delve into five leading contenders poised to make a significant impact and potentially claim the prestigious individual accolade.
Kylian Mbappe
It should come as no surprise that Kylian Mbappe tops the list, and the France star is a solid choice for Player of the Tournament if you have Euro 2024 free bets.
The 25-year-old, who recently made a mega-move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, is a notorious goal machine, netting consistently for both club and country.
Mbappe is no stranger to picking up individual awards at international tournaments either, winning the World Cup Young Player Award in 2018 while winning the Golden Boot and Silver Ball in Qatar.
As the second favourites, Les Bleus have a good chance of going all the way in the Euros, and that would likely see Mbappe take home this prize.
Jude Bellingham
Set to be teammates with Mbappe at Los Blancos next season, Jude Bellingham comes in at second in the betting market for Player of the Tournament.
The 20-year-old earned his dream move to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer, and he scored 23 times and provided 13 assists en route to a La Liga/Champions League double.
Despite his age, Bellingham has already established himself as one of England’s most important players, earning 29 caps under Gareth Southgate.
With the England betting odds firmly in their favour, Bellingham could be crowned Player of the Tournament if the Three Lions can win the Euros for the first time.
Harry Kane
If England are to go on and win the European Championship in Germany, then Bellingham will face competition for the Player of the Tournament award from his teammates.
Harry Kane is another obvious choice, with the striker enjoying an incredible first year with Bayern Munich in terms of individual performances.
The former Tottenham Hotspur striker didn’t break his trophy curse, but he did notch over 40 times for the German giants.
If Kane can bag crucial goals in familiar surroundings for England, firing them to glory, then he’ll be a solid shout for the award.
Toni Kroos
While Phil Foden and Toni Kroos are both neck-and-neck in the Player of the Tournament betting at 14/1, we’re going to zone in on the German as we’ve already featured two England stars.
Kroos had another incredible season with Real Madrid, winning the sixth Champions League title of his career and a fourth La Liga title.
However, the 34-year-old sent shockwaves through the footballing world when he announced he would be retiring from football at the culmination of the Euros.
Kroos will be desperate to sign off with another major trophy for Germany, and to do so on home soil would be a fitting end to his career.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Another icon who will likely be featuring in his final international tournament, Cristiano Ronaldo is going to want to go on a bang.
Despite being on the cusp of 40 and currently plying his trade for Al Nassar in Saudi Arabia, ‘CR7’ is still scoring goals for fun.
Ronaldo scored 35 times in 31 Saudi Pro League games, claiming the Golden Boot as his side finished second, while he netted 10 times in nine Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Portugal are going to Germany in red-hot form, and Ronaldo isn’t going to bow out from the big stage on a whimper.
