Football is a team sport, but sometimes, the fate of a team rests heavily on the shoulders of a single player.
As we approach Euro 2024, we take a look at 10 players who will be shouldering immense responsibility for their national teams. These athletes will be expected to lead, inspire, and carry their teams through the tournament. Let’s dive into the list, starting with Robert Lewandowski.
1. Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
The Poland national team captain, Robert Lewandowski, has been a beacon for his team since his debut in 2008. That year, Poland qualified for their first ever Euros, and they haven’t missed a championship since. In 2016, Lewandowski led Poland to the quarter-finals, losing only on penalties to the eventual champions, Portugal. At 35, this might be his last Euros, and as Poland’s all-time top scorer, fans and teammates alike will be counting on him to make a deep run in the tournament. However, with tough group-stage opponents like the Netherlands, France, and Austria, it will be no easy task.
2. Marko Arnautović (Austria)
With David Alaba out due to injury, Austria will be looking to Marko Arnautović to lead them. The Serie A champion is Austria’s most capped player and second all-time top scorer. At the last Euros, he helped Austria reach the knockout stages for the first time ever, narrowly losing in extra-time to Italy. To achieve similar success this year, Arnautović will need to be at his best.
3. Hakan Çalhanoglu (Turkey)
Hakan Çalhanoglu, Turkey’s captain and midfield maestro, is coming off the best season of his career after winning the Scudetto with Inter Milan. Turkey will be looking to Çalhanoglu to bring that stellar form to the Euros and lead them out of the group stage for the first time in 16 years.
4. Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)
Despite Portugal being a star-studded team, Bruno Fernandes is the linchpin. The Manchester United midfielder was pivotal in their World Cup campaign, and much will be expected of him at the Euros. While Cristiano Ronaldo has carried Portugal for years, the time has come for Fernandes to take the reins.
5. Mykhailo Mudryk (Ukraine)
Ukraine’s hopes will largely rest on Mykhailo Mudryk. Known for his electrifying performances for the national team, Mudryk scored the crucial goal against Iceland that secured Ukraine’s qualification to Euro 2024. With a Champions League-winning goalkeeper and a Pichichi-winning striker in the squad, Mudryk’s form will be key to Ukraine’s success.
6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has already made history by leading Georgia to their first ever major tournament. The young star is the first Georgian player to score in four straight international matches, and he will be looking to make even more history at Euro 2024. Georgia’s expectations may be modest, but Kvaratskhelia will undoubtedly be the focal point.
7. Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary)
Dominik Szoboszlai is Hungary’s captain, creator, goalscorer, and set-piece specialist. Everything runs through him, and his performance will be crucial if Hungary are to progress beyond the group stage. Drawn in a tough group with Germany, Switzerland, and Scotland, Szoboszlai’s leadership will be put to the test.
8. Scott McTominay (Scotland)
Scotland’s main man is Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay. Remarkably, McTominay was the top scorer for Scotland in the qualifiers, including a brace against Spain that helped secure their first win against the 2010 world champions in 39 years. His goal-scoring prowess will be crucial for Scotland’s chances.
9. Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)
Granit Xhaka, Switzerland’s captain, is coming off an incredible season with Leverkusen, having won the Bundesliga unbeaten, completed a domestic double, and reached a European final. Switzerland will be looking to Xhaka to bring that winning mentality and form to the national team as they aim to go deep in the tournament.
10. Aleksandar Mitrović (Serbia)
Aleksandar Mitrović is Serbia’s all-time top scorer and has been instrumental in their qualification for Euro 2024, the first time Serbia has qualified for the Euros in their independent history. Known for his crucial goals, Mitrović will need to be at his best to help Serbia navigate a challenging group featuring Slovenia, Denmark, and England.
These players will carry the hopes of their nations at Euro 2024, and their performances will be critical in determining how far their teams can go in the tournament. The weight of expectation is heavy, but these athletes have shown time and again that they are capable of rising to the occasion.
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