Euro 2024 may properly be the ultimate swansong for plenty of huge identify gamers this summer time.
The sight of soccer icons akin to Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric taking part in on the most important worldwide stage for doubtlessly one final time will likely be a sight to savour for soccer followers.
However while it could be improper to write down off a few of the most interesting skills the European sport has ever seen, it’s secure to say plenty of high-profile stars is not going to make it to the 2026 World Cup in two yr’s time.
Metro.co.uk takes a have a look at six footballers who could also be set for one closing act at this summer time’s event, which will get underway in Germany on June 14.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Euro 2024 is definitely the ultimate time we see Ronaldo on the most important worldwide stage, with the 39 year-old trying so as to add a second European Championship to his enviable trophy assortment having tasted success at Euro 2016.
Regardless of plying his commerce in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo will nonetheless possible lead the road for Roberto Martinez’s males in Germany, the place he’ll hope so as to add to his record-breaking 128 worldwide objectives since making his debut in 2003.
Ronaldo, who holds the document for essentially the most Euro appearances (25) and objectives (14), will characteristic at his eleventh main worldwide event for Portugal.
Luka Modric
The Croatian midfield maestro will likely be taking part in in his ninth worldwide event for his nation.
Modric, 38, has come near including worldwide silverware to his huge array of membership honours, completed second and third on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively in addition to ending as a runner-up within the Nations League 2022/23.
While he could not be an computerized first alternative for Actual Madrid, then isn’t any doubting the truth that he stays the important thing man for Croatia.
Robert Lewandowski
While the 35 year-old nearly definitely has loads of objectives nonetheless left in him, Euro 2024 may properly be Lewandowski’s final outing at a significant competitors ought to Poland fail to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The Barcelona striker is Poland’s document goalscorer with 82 objectives, placing him fourth on the all-time checklist for objectives scored in males’s European worldwide soccer.
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Lewandowski has managed 4 objectives in his eight Euro appearances thus far, and will likely be seeking to go previous the quarter-final stage of any competitors for the primary time ever with Poland.
Manuel Neuer
Having returned from a damaged leg earlier within the season, the veteran goalkeeper will as soon as once more be the primary between the sticks for Germany forward of Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Neuer, 38, will contest his eighth main event with Germany having amassed 117 caps since his debut in 2009, together with their victorious World Cup marketing campaign in 2014.
Profitable Euro 2024 on house soil could be a fairytale ending to his worldwide profession, with the Henri Delaunay Cup the one main trophy he’s but to get his palms on.
Olivier Giroud
The previous Chelsea and Arsenal man, 37, is France’s high goalscorer of all-time with 57 objectives and he began each sport of the World Cup 2018 regardless of infamously not discovering the again of the web.
Giroud scored three objectives for Les Blues in Euro 2016 earlier than they have been crushed by Portugal within the closing in Paris, however he was unable so as to add to his Euro tally final time round.
Giroud is anticipated to affix MLS aspect Los Angeles FC from AC Milan this summer time, which is able to nearly definitely carry the curtain down on his worldwide profession.
Thomas Muller
Muller stays an important presence for Bayern Munich and Germany, with whom he has scored 45 objectives in 128 appearances.
The 34 year-old was advised that he wouldn’t be thought-about for choice, alongside Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, by Joachim Low in 2019, just for the then-manager to reverse his resolution in time for Euro 2020.
Muller is essentially the most adorned German footballer in historical past, with the Euros the one obvious omission from his trophy cupboard.
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