'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It wasn't the best of outings for Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus last season as the Bianconeri failed to stage a fight for the Serie A title. They also crashed out of the Champions League in embarrassing fashion against a spirited Porto side. However, Ronaldo managed to prove his class with a return of 36 goals and four assists for the Old Lady across all competitions.
Only Robert Lewandowski (48) and Lionel Messi (38) scored more than the winger in Europe last term. That means he was easily one of the top individual performers on the continent during the campaign.
Ronaldo's obsession with individual accolades is quite glaring. With the race for the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA Player Of The Year award already getting serious, the attacker will be eager to seize any opportunity to impress.
Leading his nation into the European championship this summer, Ronaldo will be motivated to light up the tournament and solidify his chances of claiming major honours. However, it won't be a ride in the park for the Juventus maestro. The tournament will also welcome other top superstars who are determined to steal the show.
From super midfielders to untouchable wingers and prolific strikers, we highlight five players who could outshine Ronaldo when the tournament kicks off this summer. Without further ado, let's dive right in.
#5 Ngolo Kante
Ngolo Kante's heroics, which helped Chelsea claim their second Champions League trophy last season, are still fresh in the memory. The midfielder was in a class of his own during the vital phase of the tournament. There's no way his team would've stood any chance of going all the way in his absence.
Kante produced decisive performances in both legs of the semi-final clash with Real Madrid. He was also highly influential as the Blues edged out Manchester City in the final. Kante won the man-of-the-match award in those three games and has been tipped by many to win the Ballon d'Or award.
The Frenchman is currently in the form of his life. With the quality present in the Les Bleus team, Kante will definitely get the chance to impress. Should he succeed in guiding his side to success just like he did in the 2018 World Cup, it wouldn't be difficult to set the tournament on fire and show Ronaldo who is boss.
#4 Harry Kane
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is also one of the few players with a decent chance to outshine Cristiano Ronaldo in the European Cup this year. That is owing to his amazing level of performance at the moment.
The attacker finished at the top of the goalscoring chart in the qualification phase ahead of the European tournament. He had a record of 12 goals and five assists to his name. Kane also enjoyed a prolific outing at club level last season, winning the Premier League Golden Boot with 23 goals to his name.
The Englishman isn't new to the big stages. He proved his worth by ending with the most goals in the recent FIFA World Cup in Russia in 2018. He isn't showing any signs of slowing down from that level either. His role as the captain of the team could inspire him to take more responsibility and raise his game even further.
If Kane manages to pull a repeat of his World Cup heroics at the Euros and drags his team to success, he would be certain to leave Ronaldo behind and be the MVP of the tournament.
#3 Kevin De Bruyne
Take it or hate it, Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne is arguably the most impressive attacking midfielder in European football at the moment. Despite a few injuries last season, the Belgian was able to prove his class to the football world and earned many admirers.
De Bruyne was pivotal as Manchester City made it into the final of the Champions League with three goals and four assists to his name. He found the back of the net on 10 occassions and set up a further 18 across all competitions as Pep Guardiola's men finished the campaign with the Premier League title and the Carabao Cup.
Thanks to his amazing influence during the season, the 29-year-old is already a contender for major awards. Being part of a fantastic Belgian team that also consists of amazing players like Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and Yannick Carrasco, the midfielder will get adequate support to thrive on the pitch.
De Bruyne's playmaking skills will win the hearts of many. He could also slot in with some important goals and assists just as he does in the Manchester City jersey. A strong outing in the tournament would surely keep him ahead of Ronaldo in the power rankings this year.
#2 Kylian Mbappe
Another hot sensation from the 2018 World Cup, Kylian Mbappe will be looking to continue his fine performances for France when they begin their fight for the European Championship this summer. The attacker has been a standout performer for club and country and he's shown no signs of slowing down.
Mbappe will get the chance to get one past Ronaldo as early as the group stage. France and Portugal are both drawn in Group F - a group of death that also contains Germany and Hungary. The two sides will lock horns in their final group game of the tournament on June 23. It could be a very decisive game and an opportunity for Mbappe to earn the edge over his Portuguese counterpart.
Flashy dribbling skills, electrifying runs and killer goalscoring instincts, Mbappe has all the weapons in his arsenal to light up the Euros. Playing for one of the scariest teams in the competition is a huge plus. The pacey forward looks destined to make a huge statement this summer.
#1 Robert Lewandowski
If you're looking for a man to outshine Cristiano Ronaldo in any competition at the moment, your safest bet would be Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
In terms of goalscoring, Lewy left Ronaldo and other top superstars in Europe biting the dust during the 2019-2020 campaign. He finished the term as the top scorer in the Champions League as well as across Europe's top 5 leagues. He also won a historic sextuple with the Bavarians and was unchallenged for the FIFA Player Of The Year award.
Last season was a repeat. Ronaldo was nowhere near Lewandowski's level. Despite missing a significant number of games due to fitness issues, the Polish striker still managed to finish the term with the highest number of goals across Europe's top 5 leagues (41). That is shoulders above CR7's record of 29 goals in Serie A. Lewy's five goals in the UCL also bettered the Portuguese' four.
The Bayern Munich sharpshooter is in the form of his life right now. Limited by the unfortunate injury he suffered in the latter phase of last season, Lewandowski will be determined to steal the show at the Euros this season. Ronaldo should watch out!
