Euro 2016 is just a few days away and with most of the participating nations preparing intently for one of the biggest tournaments in the world, it would be no surprise to see a few stars coming under the spotlight.
Being held in France and featuring 24 teams for the first time in the history of the competition, there would be many players wanting to showcase their abilities on the pitch after performing brilliantly during the club season which just ended.
Be it for their record-breaking performances or for the fact that they just made switches to bigger clubs, a few stars would certainly be in the spotlight as fans expect European glory.
Without further ado, here are the five players who will be in the limelight at Euro 2016.
1) Robert Lewandowski
The Polish international would be leading his country out for a chance of Euro glory. Poland would only be making their third appearance in the Euros after 2008 and 2012 and will look to at least make it out of the group stages this time.
Lewandowski scored 30 goals in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich, which earned him the Top goal scorer award in Germany. His side will expect him to bag a few goals as they face Ukraine, Northern Ireland and Germany in Group C.
The 27-year-old is one of the best centre-forwards in the world and with him being right in form, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he does end up as the leading scorer in this tournament as well.
The Bayern Munich forward has 34 goals for his country and would want to add a few more to his tally.
2) Gareth Bale
The world’s most expensive player will have the weight of a nation on him as Wales qualified for their first every European Championship. Although his side did not top Group B during the qualifying rounds, Bale was the star for his country nabbing seven goals and providing two assists in 10 games.
The Welsh Wizard also had a good season with Real Madrid, despite missing chunks due to a spate of injuries. Bale won the UEFA Champions League for the second time in his career as Real defeated Atletico Madrid in the final.
His 19 goals in all competitions also helped Real finish second in La Liga and the forward will hope for similar performances in France. The clash of the Group B would be when Wales face England and all eyes would be on Bale as he leads the plucky side against their neighbours.
Bale has carried Wales on his shoulders for a while and it would not be a surprise if the small nation pulls off a shock or two and make it out of the Group which features Russia and Slovakia as well.
3) Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka is one of the toughest players out there and it wasn’t a surprise when the Swiss star made a switch to the Premier League. The former Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder joined Arsenal and is expected to add a lot of steel in midfield, something which the Gunners have lacked for a number of years.
The Swiss team finished behind England in the qualifying campaign and Xhaka played eight games for the national team during the campaign. The 23-year-old could be the other star that Switzerland depend on if the side is to make history by progressing into the knockout stage of the competition.
Switzerland have flattered to deceive in the European Championships for a long time but their 2014 World Cup showing proves the side is capable of stepping up during the big tournaments.
Xhaka’s side face Albania, France and Romania, not the toughest group in the competition and the midfielder would want the side to start on a winning note as they face Albania in their first game.
4) Antoine Griezmann
Being the host nation for any major tournament does have its pros and cons. While the team does not have to go through the gruelling qualifying stages, the fans expect a brilliant showing in the competition.
France have to deal with a lot of pressure in this tournament as they are seen as one of the favourites due to the plethora of stars at their disposal. Didier Deschamps’ men have to perform in this Euro and hopefully win it like they did it in 2000 and one man who would certainly be in the limelight for the team is Antoine Griezmann.
The Atletico Madrid star might have missed out on La Liga and the Champions League but his 32 goals proved that he was not a one-season wonder for the Rojiblancos. Gifted with pace, great dribbling skills and brilliant finishing skills, he could end up as the top scorer for France in the tournament.
Griezmann won the U19 European Championship in 2010 and his goal scoring exploits for the team should elevate the home side looking for a repeat of 1984 when they won the Euros at home.
5) Paul Pogba
Everyone already knows the precocious talent that Paul Pogba is. The Juventus midfielder picked up yet another Scudetto this season with the Turin club and it is time for him to showcase his talent for the national team once again.
In the 2014 World Cup, Pogba picked up the award for the best young player, even though France were knocked out of the competition in the quarter-final stage by eventual winners Germany. The 23-year-old has been in scintillating form for his club and is one of the players who would be shining bright for the French team.
Pogba is probably the best midfielder in the world at the moment. Incredibly gifted when it comes to controlling the ball and having a shot at goal, the Juventus star doesn’t really have too many flaws. He did win the U21 European Championship with France and the national team could dominate Euro 2016 thanks to the wealth of talent they possess.
France face Albania, Romania and Switzerland and Paul will be looking to stamp his authority in the tournament in front of a rapturous crowd.
