Informist, Friday, Jun 14, 2024

By Sayantan Sarkar

NEW DELHI – The UEFA European Football Championship, popularly known as the Euro, gets underway in Germany today. For fans the world over, the stage to catch a golden generation of footballers in action possibly for the last time couldn't get bigger.

From Portugal's talismanic striker Cristiano Ronaldo to Germany's midfield maestro Toni Kroos and Croatia's playmaker par excellence Luka Modric, all of them may well be lacing up their boots in the international arena for the final time.

When Germany takes on Scotland in the opening match of the tournament today, all eyes will be on Kroos and his teammates Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer, all in the twilight of their stellar careers. Fondly known as the 'German Sniper', Kroos announced his retirement from club football less than a month ago, his last game for Real Madrid seeing him lift the Champions League trophy and equalling Paco Gento's record of six cup victories.

If he gets there, the Euro 2024 final could well be his last game for Germany – a perfect end to a storied career.

Kroos' close friend and Real Madrid teammate, the 38-year-old Modric, is slated to lead Croatia. Before finishing third in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the nation came close to lifting its first World Cup in 2018, but was beaten in the final by France. Croatia has always been seen as punching above its weight and central to this has been Modric, who, along with Kroos, is considered one of the best midfielders of his generation.

Much like Kroos, Modric goes about his football in a calm and unassuming manner. While the 2023-24 domestic season saw him in a reduced role at Real Madrid, Euro 2024 could be his chance to remind the world that while form is temporary, class is permanent.

Poland's Robert Lewandowski, England's Kyle Walker, and Portugal's Pepe are among the other stars who could be playing in their last Euro Cup this summer. This year's Euro will also be the last international tournament for Olivier Giroud, France's all-time leading goalscorer.

By all counts, the most notable name on the list is that of Cristiano Ronaldo, the tournament's all-time top marksman with 14 goals. The Portuguese captain is set to become the first ever player to appear in six European Championships. At 39, he will also be one of the oldest outfield players in the tournament this year.

Ronaldo's career was as good as over when he was benched in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final game against Morocco. "The dream was beautiful, as long as it lasted," Ronaldo posted on his Instagram page on Dec 11, 2022.

That was then. The undying desire to continue to compete at the highest level has kept Ronaldo going.

"I honestly couldn't say if this will be his (Ronaldo) final tournament," football magazine FourFourTwo quoted CNN Portugal sports reporter Joao Paiva as saying. "You're inclined to think it will be, but you never know. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw him playing at the next World Cup."

That's in 2026! One could be forgiven to think that is impossible, but this is Ronaldo we're talking about!

At the other end of the spectrum, this year's Euro will also provide a glimpse into the future of football. The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Jamal Musiala are some of the most exciting young talents in Europe today. At 25, Mbappe will lead a strong French side, while Bellingham and Foden are part of one of the "hot" favourites, England. Bayern Munich's 21-year-old Musiala will represent hosts Germany.

Spain's Lamine Yamal is set to become the youngest ever to play at the Euros. The 16-year-old Barcelona player is likely to be a constant feature in the La Roja line-up. Yamal, along with Manchester City's Rodri, would be key to Spain's chances at the tournament.

As the world tunes in to Euro 2024, fans will wait with bated breath for a final chance to see some of their favourite stars in action. Will some of them taste success? Who knows!

For now, there's a month of the beautiful game to look forward to. End

Edited by Avishek Dutta

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