See the Stars of UEFA EURO 2024 and Copa America
An incredible summer of soccer came to an end with Spain defeating England to take home the 2024 UEFA EURO title and Argentina defending its crown as champions of Copa America, beating Colombia in extra time. Let’s take a look at some of the players who came to define these tournaments.
Lamin Yamal, RW, Spain National Football Team
THE STORY
• Named UEFA EURO 2024 young player of the tournament
• Youngest player ever to score and assist at a European Championship
What’s Next?
• Lead new era at club team Barcelona
• Cement position as soccer’s greatest young star
What They’re Saying
• “He is a generational talent, it’s not always you’re scoring against France at 16. He’s got the world ahead of him. He’s miles ahead of what I was at 17.” – England striker Ollie Watkins
James Rodriguez, MF, Colombia National Football Team
THE STORY
•Named Copa America player of the tournament
•1 goal and 6 assists
•Led Colombia to first title game since 2001
WHAT’S NEXT?
•Revitalized play could lead to transfer back to big European club
•Linked to Atletico Madrid
What they’re saying
•“He really feels so good wearing the Colombian national team jersey… it’s impressive in every aspect.” – Brazil manager Dorival Júnior
Lautaro Martinez, Striker, Argentina National Football Team
THe story
•Came off bench to score winning goal in Copa America final
•Led tournament with 4 goals
what’s next?
•signed contract extension with inter milan
•will now make $9.8 Million (USD)
• Help Inter to UCL success
what they’re saying
•”He has been my nine always, forever. He didn’t start in the final but he has shown that he is an expert goal scorer.” – Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni
Georges Mikautadze, Striker, Georgia National Football Team
the story
•Helped Georgia to knockout stage in first ever international tournament
•Scored three goals in 4 games
what’s next
•joining french club lyon in $20 million transfer
•biggest player sale in fc metz history
•will play in Uefa europa league competition
what they’re saying
•“For the whole team, when you have a goal-scorer, it’s the most joyous thing. Mikautadze isn’t Kylian Mbappe, but he’s FC Metz’s Mbappe!” – Former FC Metz manager Laszlo Boloni
Kobbie Mainoo, CM, England National Football Team
The story
•Provided steady midfield play for England in first ever international tournament
•Completed 92.5% of passes
•Helped England to second straight UEFA EURO final
what’s next?
•Potential star turn in first full season with Manchester United
•Establish himself as first-choice midfielder for England’s 2026 World Cup campaign
what they’re saying
•”He just doesn’t look like a teenager. He almost looks like a prefect with the young kids in a school and he’s just saying…Just give the ball to me and I’ll, I’ll lend it here and there.” – Former England defender Rio Ferdinand
