Major tournaments such as the European Championships are the perfect platform for youngsters from across the continent to announce themselves on the biggest stage. Be it Wayne Rooney in 2004, Jordi Alba in 2012 or Renato Sanches in 2016, plenty of talents have emerged into stardom from the European Championships over the years and similarly, many youngsters have starred for their respective nations at Euro 2020.
Today, we will look at the best young players (23 or below) from the 2020 European Championships.
5. DANI OLMO (23 | SPAIN)
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The current Spanish side are blessed with a plethora of talented youngsters and one of the standout players for La Roja this summer has been Dani Olmo. Olmo changed the game for Spain in the last 16 against Croatia off the bench and assisted both goals in extra time to send them to the quarter-finals.
The RB Leipzig forward then followed that up with arguably one of the performances of the competition against Italy in the semi-final wherein he played as a false nine and caused massive problems for the Azzurri with his movement and assisted the Alvaro Morata’s equalising goal. Unfortunately, Olmo’s tournament ended in the worst possible manner – with a missed penalty to knock Spain out – but given his talent and ability, it is not the last time we see the Spaniard light up the international stage.
4. BUKAYO SAKA (19 | ENGLAND)
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After starting the tournament on the fringes of the England squad, Bukayo Saka has burst through the scenes at Euro 2020 and cemented his place in Gareth Southgate’s starting XI. The biggest compliment one can give Saka is that he is starting for the Three Lions ahead of incredibly talented players such as Grealish, Sancho, Foden and Rashford and has earned the trust of the England set-up despite his inexperience. Saka is the youngest England player to start a major tournament semi-final, and the Arsenal midfielder’s speed and directness have caused massive problems to opposing defences.
3. MIKKEL DAMSGAARD (21 | DENMARK)
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Mikkel Damsgaard had to fill the massive boots of Christian Eriksen in this Danish side, but the Sampdoria attacker has more than stood up to the task, lighting up the tournament with his performances. Damsgaard arguably scored two of the best goals of the tournament – against Russia and England – and his energy and creativity in the attacking third a massive part in Denmark’s dream run to the semi-finals of the competition.
2. GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA (22 | ITALY)
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Italy have been the one of the best defensives team at Euro 2020 – conceding only four goals in 7 games – and a big reason for their defensive solidity is the performances of Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal. Donnarumma is a brick wall for the Azzurri and is already one of the best goalkeepers in the world at just 22. Donnarumma made game-defining saves in both the quarter and semi-finals from Kevin de Bruyne and Dani Olmo before ending the tournament as the hero of the penalty shootout in the final with two saves off Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka that gave Italy the victory.
1. PEDRI (18 | SPAIN)
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Pedri has played nearly every minute of Spain’s campaign at Euro 2020, and his astonishing rise has finally helped Spain find the true heir to Xavi and Andres Iniesta’s throne. The 18-year-old starlet has been the conductor of Spain’s midfield orchestra this summer and has surpassed all expectations with his performances. The Barcelona midfielder showed a level of maturity that is unheard of for someone of his age, and finished the tournament with the most shot-creating actions (27) and passes into the final third (65).
[Image Credit: Pedri González]
Shivaan Shah