FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
The stadiums have been prepped for weeks and France is ready to welcome Europe’s best as Euro 2016 kicks off Friday. The event runs until July 10 and feature 552 players on 24 teams — plus their rabid supporters. When the games begin in earnest, all eyes
CRISTIANO RONALDO, PORTUGAL
Arguably the greatest player of a generation — Argentina’s Lionel Messi would like a word, though — heads into another major tournament, one that could be his last if Portugal fails in qualifying for Russia 2018.
For now, though, let’s marvel in what the 31-year-old produced for Real Madrid during the 201516 season.
En route to claiming last month’s Champions League crown — Ronaldo’s second — the Portuguese striker scored 51 times in 48 games.
He’s been named to nine consecutive FIFA World Best XIs and is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished European footballers in history. Everyone knows about his pace, his brain, his passion for the game. The only thing missing for Ronaldo is a first-place finish at a major international tournament.
GARETH BALE, WALES
The 26-year-old Welshman looks like he’s been chiselled out of stone. Bale’s game blends power and open field pace with an uncanny ability to unbalance defenders just enough to create room inside the penalty area.
While he’s often overshadowed by stars like Ronaldo at Real Madrid, Bale might be the best left-sided player in the game.
He’s also a master on free kicks, which Wales will almost certainly look to capitalize on given they’ll be overmatched on most days.
THOMAS MULLER, GERMANY
By the end of his playing days, Muller could be Germany’s all-time leading scorer, joining names like Klose, Podolski, Voller and Klinsmann. By the end of Euro 2016, Muller will likely already be ninth all-time at the age of 26.
There’s little flash with the Bayern Munich man. Just preci- sion. He’s poacher-like inside the penalty area but also has an ability to create things for himself and teammates further out from goal. His movement on and off the ball is part of the reason Germany’s game has evolved from machine-like to free-flowing over the last decade. Muller might be my favourite player at this tournament.
ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI, POLAND
After Ronaldo, Lewandowski might be the best finisher at Euro 2016. His 42 goals for Bayern Munich this season speak volumes. What I like about Lewandowski is his ability to score in a number of ways.
Look no further than his five-goal performance against Wolfsburg late last year. The 27-year-old got into dirty areas. He scored from distance. He finished from inside five metres. He even finished on the volley.
Lewandowski gives Poland the most hope it has had in a long time.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE, BELGIUM
One of the best players I watched at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. De Bruyne, 24, is one of the most technical players in the tournament. His ability to play on the half turn and connect things for coach Marc Wilmots is critical when you have some of the best attacking players in the tournament. Without De Bruyne pulling the strings, Belgian attackers like Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens wouldn’t be nearly as effective. De Bruyne doesn’t get enough attention for what he brings.