Who Are the Contenders for the Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament Award?

As we approach the business end of Euro 2024, attention is already shifting to the likely winner of the tournament outright. Another prize that’s on the line is the Player of the Tournament award. This is one of the most coveted individual prizes in European football, recognising a player’s elite performances on the biggest continental stage.

With so many talented players across Europe, you can imagine that various names were thrown into the hat to be in contention at the start of the tournament. Now that the group stage and the knockout stage is done and dusted, let’s run through the leading contenders to secure UEFA’s prestigious award.

Lamine Yamal

It almost beggars’ belief that a 16-year-old can have such a seismic impact on a senior football tournament. Yamal, born in July 2007, struck a stunning solo effort in Spain’s come-from-behind win over France to seal a place in the Euro 2024 final. Yamal has been a constant thorn in the side of Spain’s opponents this summer, with his direct running and exceptional balance tying full backs in knots at times.

Yamal, who already has 13 senior caps to his name for La Roja, could be in line for a clean sweep of both the Player of the Tournament and Young Player of the Tournament award. If he plays a key role in Spain being crowned European champions again, it’s almost an inevitability.

Rodri

Rodri has been Spain’s lynchpin in their midfield. The Manchester City star has always been the man for the big occasion at the Etihad Stadium. It’s a similar story for La Roja, with Rodri dominating possession and even getting himself on the scoresheet in the 4-1 win over Georgia. It’s no surprise to see he’s currently the second favourite to win this award, priced at 4.00 in the latest bet365 Euros betting markets ahead of Dani Olmo and Cody Gakpo.

With Spain reaching the final, there is every chance Rodri’s steel and consistency could be the difference-maker in a one-off encounter. A victory for La Roja in a tightly-contested game could tip the scales in Rodri’s favour, leaving Yamal to stroll to the Young Player of the Tournament award instead.

Dani Olmo

Given Spain’s impressive showing at Euro 2024, it’s no surprise that the top three contenders in the current betting are Spaniards. 26-year-old wide midfielder, Dani Olmo, has been perhaps the biggest game-changer for Spain this summer.

Olmo is in the running for the tournament’s top goalscorer award too, leading the way with three goals to his name. He scored a goal and an assist in the quarter-final win over Germany, before scoring in the 2-1 semi-final victory against the French. Olmo has not been on the radar of the average fan long due to his decision to move from Barcelona to Dinamo Zagreb in 2015. In 2020, Olmo was snapped up by RB Leipzig, where he established himself as a key figure.

Cody Gakpo

Liverpool forward, Cody Gakpo, has been the spearhead of the Netherlands’ unexpected deep run in the Euro 2024 knockout stages. The rangy left-sided forward has been amongst the goals in Germany, scoring in the win over Poland, the narrow defeat to Austria and the comfortable 3-0 win over Romania in the last 16.

Gakpo has been vocal in his praise for Dutch head coach, Ronald Koeman, for selecting him in a left wing role. It’s a very different remit to the one he has with his club, Liverpool, where former boss, Jurgen Klopp, has utilised him as a centre forward.

Fabian Ruiz

Rodri’s central midfielder, Fabian Ruiz, is another outside contender for the Player of the Tournament award. He’s proven to be an exceptional foil for Rodri in the middle of the park. The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) midfield schemer has scored twice for the Spaniards in their victories over Croatia and Georgia.

Goals are by no means a regular theme in Ruiz’ game, but under Spain’s new coach, Luis de la Fuente, he appears to have more licence to roam to La Roja’s benefit.

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