The 10 best young players of Euro 2024 group stage - ranked
- Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz have shone for Turkey
- 16-year-old Lamine Yamal has been extremely impressive for Spain
- Germany duo Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz also lighting up the tournament
The group stages of Euro 2024 are consigned to the history books, with 16 teams from the 24 who qualified for the tournament ready to tackle the knockout rounds.
Spain have been in complete cruise control, Germany have been impressive, and the less said about England, France and Portugal to an extent, the better.
The real highlight of the tournament so far has been the standout performances of the wonderkids. Many have become genuine match-winners for their countries, ranging from a tricky 16-year-old winger with the world at his feet to a 21-year-old goalkeeper tasked with stopping anything in sight.
As part of 90min's 24 for 24 series, here's the ten best players aged 21 and under from the group stages - ranked 🤝
10. Francisco Conceicao
Nation: Portugal 🇵🇹
Age: 21
Due to the wealth of talent at Roberto Martinez's disposal in the offensive third, not too many Portugal fans were expecting Francisco Conceicao to get much game time this summer.
And having been subbed on in stoppage time in Portugal's game against Czechia on matchday one, that's how it looked like playing out. Then the 21-year-old popped up with a late, late winner for his nation to secure a vital win and more minutes - starting the game against Georgia as a result.
9. Bart Verbruggen
Nation: Netherlands 🇳🇱
Age: 21
The youngest starting goalkeeper at Euro 2024 certainly hasn't looked out of place in between the sticks for the Netherlands.
Verbruggen was particularly impressive on matchday two, earning a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with France thanks to three crucial saves.
8. Kenan Yildiz
Nation: Turkey 🇹🇷
Age: 19
The fact that Turkey looked utterly hopeless in the one game which Kenan Yildiz didn't start tells you all you really need to know.
The Juventus youngster has been the creative spark in Turkey's frontline in both their wins at Euro 2024 thus far.
7. Xavi Simons
Nation: Netherlands 🇳🇱
Age: 21
He's been in and out of the starting XI thus far, but Xavi Simons has had an impact when he's played for the Netherlands this summer.
The creative wide player has one assist to his name and probably should have a game-winning goal against France to it too - a controversial VAR decision ruled his goal out.
6. Florian Wirtz
Nation: Germany 🇩🇪
Age: 21
One half of Germany's wonderkid attacking duo, Florian Wirtz hasn't shone quite as brightly as Jamal Musiala yet, but that isn't to say he hasn't played well.
As Wirtz has actually played very, very well.
His goal in the win over Scotland was stunning, and he continued to cause defences problems in each of his nation's games against Hungary and Switzerland too.
5. Pedri
Nation: Spain 🇪🇸
Age: 21
When fit, there's very few better midfielders in Europe than Pedri.
Right now, Pedri is fit and is performing like one of the best midfielders in Europe.
He's been fantastic for Spain alongside Fabian Ruiz and Rodri thus far.
4. Lamine Yamal
Nation: Spain 🇪🇸
Age: 16
Lamine Yamal is 16 years old and he's been one of the best players at Euro 2024 thus far.
That is ridiculous. It's unheard. It's obscene.
No full-back will be looking forward to facing off against him in the knockout rounds.
3. Arda Guler
Nation: Turkey 🇹🇷
Age: 19
Arda Guler may have wrapped up the goal of the tournament award already thanks to his stunning strike in a win over Georgia.
The Real Madrid starlet has been Turkey's star man thus far.
2. Nico Williams
Nation: Spain 🇪🇸
Age: 21
We're guessing Giovanni Di Lorenzo has quite severe PTSD after having gone toe-to-toe with Nico Williams for 90 minutes.
Williams was brilliant in the win over Italy, with his pace, trickery and delivery causing a whole host of problems, and he's undoubtedly been the funnest player to watch at Euro 2024.
Barcelona, take note.
1. Jamal Musiala
Nation: Germany 🇩🇪
Age: 21
The best young player, and best overall player, at Euro 2024 thus far, Jamal Musiala has been absolutely sublime for Germany.
The 21-year-old's two goals and overall performance levels have been superb, and he's developing into a genuinely world class footballer in front of our eyes.
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