'%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)
Euro 2020 promised a lot before it began, and the tournament has delivered as well. There have been emotional moments and surprising ones, as is often the case with international tournaments.
Some big teams have been eliminated, and with that, some of the biggest names in the game will play no further role at Euro 2020. While the tournament still has some big nations and players in the fray, some big-name players known to be game-changers have exited Euro 2020.
On that note, let's look at the five best players who have been eliminated from Euro 2020 thus far.
#5 Gareth Bale (Wales)
Wales did well to progress out of their group at Euro 2020 but were deservedly beaten by Denmark in the Round of 16.
Welsh superstar Gareth Bale had a subdued Euro 2020 campaign by his lofty standards. The 31-year-old featured in all four games for his country at the tournament but failed to score a goal. Bale did provide two assists, but the forward was kept quiet by the Danes, who thrashed Wales 4-0.
Bale's club career is in limbo as of now. It looks unlikely he will return to Tottenham Hotspur, where he spent last season on loan. With Real Madrid reappointing Carlo Ancelotti as the manager, it appears as though Bale will report for pre-season with the Spanish giants.
Also Read: Euro 2020: 5 surprise packages of the tournament so far.
#4 Frenkie de Jong (The Netherlands)
Netherlands were outright poor against the Czech Republic in the Round of 16 and were knocked out of Euro 2020.
The barrage of criticism aimed at manager Frank de Boer as well as Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, who got sent off last night, has not stopped yet. However, a few Dutch players did emerge out of Euro 2020 with their reputations fairly intact, with Frenkie de Jong being one such player.
De Jong was one of the best midfielders during the group stages of Euro 2020. His phenomenal dribbling ability and technical skills were on full display. He played a part in all four games for the Oranje. However, he did not cover himself in glory against the Czech Republic.
Also Read: Euro 2020: Ranking the top 5 favourites to win the tournament.
#3 David Alaba (Austria)
Austria can hold their head high after a decent Euro 2020 campaign. A strong group-stage showing was followed by an excellent performance in the Round of 16 against Italy, who were made to work extremely hard to register a win.
David Alaba, who is going to join Real Madrid soon after a trophy-laden career with Bayern Munich, was one of Austria's star performers at Euro 2020. The 29-year-old played as a left-back and a centre-back at the tournament, providing two assists and captaining his team as well.
Austria's game against Italy was one of the best of Euro 2020, and there were a lot of positives to be happy about for the country's fans.
#2 Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
One of the best players in the game at the moment, Robert Lewandowski, was unable to stop Poland exiting Euro 2020 in the group stage.
The Bayern Munich superstar started all three group-stage games for his country and scored three goals. Poland lost to Slovakia in their opening game but produced a strong performance against Spain, managing to draw 1-1. However, a dramatic 3-2 loss to Sweden saw Poland eliminated.
Lewandowski did try his best, though. Regarded as one of the best strikers of the modern generation, the 32-year-old showed at Euro 2020 that he still has a lot to offer at the highest level.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Among the favourites to win Euro 2020, Portugal crashed out of the tournament after losing 1-0 to Belgium in the Round of 16.
Fernando Santos' side failed to impress during the group stage as well, despite the incredible assortment of talent in their ranks. Cristiano Ronaldo was their best player across four games, scoring five goals. He has departed the tournament as the top goalscorer at Euro 2020 for the time being.
It remains to be seen whether the 36-year-old will return for the next edition of the Euros in three years' time. Portugal also have a lot of thinking to do ahead of the FIFA World Cup next year, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Santos' futures likely to be key topics of discussion in the future.
Also Read: Euro 2020: Ranking the top 5 teams so far based on ratings.
