The 10 best players of Euro 2024 group stage - ranked

  • The 10 best players during the Euro 2024 group stages
  • Jamal Musiala starred for hosts Germany
  • Spain's stars impressed in the opening round
Image by Zac Alalouff
Image by Zac Alalouff /
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The Euro 2024 group stage provided us with shock results, thrills, spills and roughly a trillion wonder goals.

None of that fun would've been possible without the best players in Europe conjuring up their best form when it matters the most.

As part of our 24 for 24 series, 90min picks for the top ten players during the Euro 2024 group stages.


10. Cody Gakpo

Cody Gakpo
Impressing / BSR Agency/GettyImages

The Netherlands version of Cody Gakpo seems to be a lot more effective than the Liverpool version of Cody Gakpo.

Following a rather so-so 2023/24 campaign with the Reds, Gakpo has looked liked a totally different player for his international team at Euro 2024, showing a clinical streak in front of goal throughout the group stages.

Liverpool fans will be hoping he bring this form back to club level in 2024/25.


9. Arda Guler

Turkiye v Portugal: Group F - UEFA EURO 2024
Wonderkid / Jan Fromme - firo sportphoto/GettyImages

A lot was expected of Arda Guler ahead of Euro 2024 and, so far, it's fair to say that he's delivering.

The youngster netted a goal of the tournament contender to earn Turkey a win over Georgia in matchday one, and put in a dynamic performance to beat Czechia,which sealed progression to the knockout rounds. Nice one.


8. Gianluigi Donnarumma

Gianluigi Donnarumma
Italy's main man / Julian Finney/GettyImages

Put simply, Italy are on their way home with their tails between their legs if it wasn't for Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Despite struggles with PSG, the towering goalkeeper has been back to his very, very best with Italy this summer.

His 11 saves in three group stage games are essentially the sole reason for his national team's progression in the tournament.


7. Georges Mikautadze

Georges Mikautadze
Top scorer / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Hands up who had Georges Mikautadze as their pick for Euro 2024 top goalscorer?

Hands up who even knew who Georges Mikautadze was before Euro 2024?

The Georgian forward has netted three goals to inspire his nation to unprecedented progress to the round of 16, and perhaps caught the eye of a few scouts along the way too.


6. Ilkay Gundogan

Ilkay Guendogan
Class act / Kevin Voigt/GettyImages

Ilkay Gundogan's Euro 2024 very nearly ended on matchday one when Ryan Porteous almost broke his leg with a disgusting tackle.

Thankfully for Gundogan and every single football fan who's watched Germany at the tourmant, the midfielder was able to avoid a serious injury and star for his nation in the group stages.

His goalscoring performance in the win over Hungary on matchday two was particularly awe-inspiring.


5. Giorgi Mamardashvili

Giorgi Mamardashvili
One of the best / Jonathan Moscrop/GettyImages

If you were wondering why Giorgi Mamardashvili was being linked with top clubs throughout Europe during the 2023/24 season, you've had your answer at Euro 2024.

The 23-year-old's performance against Portugal which helped book Georgia's place in the knockout rounds may have been the best we've seen from any player in Germany so far this summer.


4. Nico Williams

Nico Williams
Thrilling player / Edith Geuppert - GES Sportfoto/GettyImages

Nico Williams is officially the funnest player to watch at Euro 2024.

The dynamic winger was a thrill a minute during the group stage, particularly against Italy in Spain's second game of the tournament.

There isn't a single full-back who is looking forward to coming up against Williams during the knockout rounds.


3. Fabian Ruiz

Fabian Ruiz
Brilliant player / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

During the Euro 2024 group stages, Fabian Ruiz played like a reincarnation of peak Luka Modric.

His ability to win possession, retain possession, create chances for his teammates, and test goalkeepers with ferocious long-range efforts on goal was a sight to behold.


2. Marcel Sabitzer

UEFA EURO 2024Austria v The Netherlands
Key man / ANP/GettyImages

Austria have been an utter joy to watch at Euro 2024, and that is thanks in large part to their star man Marcel Sabitzer.

The national team captain has led his team's dynamic pressing and passing gameplan and provided some moments of genuine quality in the final third too - bagging a wonderful goal in the win over the Netherlands.


1. Jamal Musiala

Jamal Musiala
World class / PressFocus/MB Media/GettyImages

Armed with a Carmelo Anthony celebration and almost unrivalled talent, Jamal Musiala is making Euro 2024 his tournament.

The youngster is developing into a superstar, with his match-winning performances in Germany's first two group stage games likely being a sign of things to come this summer.


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