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After 30 days and 51 games of football, UEFA Euro 2020 came to a dramatic climax at the Wembley Stadium, as Roberto Mancini's side completed the Italian job in England by prevailing in a thrilling penalty shootout. Gli Azzurri were crowned kings of the continent for the second time in their history, while past demons came back to haunt England once again as they stumbled at the final hurdle in front of their own fans.
Gareth Southgate and his youthful wave of talent made quite the impact at Euro 2020, but they ultimately succumbed on spot-kicks in the final, as the pressure of winning their first major trophy since 1966 seemingly got the better of them. Italy, on the other hand, came into Euro 2020 in a rich vein of form, but they weren't regarded as one of the pre-tournament favorites. Nevertheless, Mancini and co defied the odds and got their hands on the trophy, indicating that Gli Azzurri are well and truly back on the grandest stage after a few years in the doldrums.
Despite the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, 24 teams took part in Euro 2020 and the tournament was held across 11 countries, as the European Championships belatedly concluded after initially being scheduled to happen last year.
Euro 2020 was one of the most enjoyable major tournaments in recent years and was filled with memorable moments. While the usual suspects like Karim Benzema, Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski made a series of defining contributions, a handful of players burst onto the scene and announced themselves to the wider audience.
Picking five of the best players from Euro 2020 was no small feat, as too many variables are involved when it comes to tournament football. However, after a lot of deliberation, we have narrowed down on a list that's got a brilliant mix of youth and experience.
Before we head into the rankings, it has to be mentioned that Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was crowned UEFA Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament after Italy's triumph, does not make the final list!
#5 Federico Chiesa | Italy, Juventus
Federico Chiesa was initially left out of Italy's starting XI in favor of Domenico Berardi, but he grew in stature as the tournament progressed and emerged as one of their most important players. Gli Azzurri secured qualification to the knockout stages of Euro 2020 with one group game to spare, so Chiesa finally got his first chance against Wales as Mancini opted to make a few changes to his starting XI.
Known for his direct running and ability to strike the ball with both feet, the Juventus man quickly showed Italy what they were missing, with Berardi often being criticized for being one-dimensional and predictable in the final third. Chiesa's crowning moment came in the Euro 2020 Round of 16 encounter against Austria, as he came off the bench to break the deadlock for his side in extra time. He kept his place against Belgium in the quarterfinals and was Italy's man of the hour in the semi-final, as he scored another brilliant goal to put his side ahead on the night.
Chiesa's outing in the Euro 2020 final may have ended prematurely due to an injury, but he was undoubtedly Italy's best player before being withdrawn. His direct running and nimble-footedness came to the fore several times, as the English defenders had no choice but to bring him down.
The baby-faced attacker finished Euro 2020 as one of Italy's most important players and made the world take notice of his talents, having emerged as one of the breakthrough stars of the tournament.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal, Juventus
Portugal began Euro 2020 as the defending champions, but Fernando Santos and co endured an underwhelming tournament, as they were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Belgium. However, Cristiano Ronaldo had enough time to make his mark, as he once again led from the front and scored a whopping five goals from four games. The legendary attacker picked up the Euro 2020 Golden Boot ahead of Patrik Schick and was Portugal's talisman in a major tournament yet again.
Ronaldo scored a brace against Hungary in Portugal's Euro 2020 opener and followed it up with a goal against Germany, while he also scored two penalties against France to take his side through to the knockout stages. In the game against Belgium, however, he couldn't get his name on the scoresheet, as Roberto Martinez's side hung on for a 1-0 victory.
At the age of 36, Ronaldo picked up his first Golden Boot at a major tournament, a stat that is slightly unbelievable considering his stature. He is likely to stick around for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but as far as the European Championships go, he has already made his last appearance in the competition.
Also Read: Euro 2020 - Ranking the 5 best players from the final
#3 Jorginho | Italy, Chelsea
Jorginho has been in stunning form since the turn of the year and played a pivotal role in Chelsea's UEFA Champions League triumph under Thomas Tuchel. At Euro 2020, he carried on from where he left-off for the Blues and ran the show from the center of the park, as Italy progressively grew in stature throughout the tournament to get their hands on the trophy.
Hailed as Roberto Mancini's midfield metronome, the elegant midfielder is one of the best passers of the ball, as he pulled strings expertly as a #6 for Italy. Jorginho has been criticized over the years for his lack of athleticism and strength, but the 29-year-old has silenced his doubters in style in 2021 and is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world at the moment.
Italy's midfield is arguably their strongest asset, with players like Nicolo Barella, Marco Verratti and Manuel Locatelli playing their parts in their Euro 2020 triumph. However, not only was Jorginho Italy's best midfielder but also their standout player throughout the competition, as he became only the 10th player in history to win the European Championships and the UEFA Champions League in the same season.
#2 Pedri | Spain, Barcelona
Pedri's emergence at Barcelona has been an impressive story in itself, but the young midfielder quickly became the first name on the team sheet for Luis Enrique despite only making his international debut in March. The 18-year-old started every game for La Roja at Euro 2020 and delivered a string of magnificent displays in midfield, as he kept his spot ahead of more experienced players like Thiago Alcantara and Fabian Ruiz.
Spain started Euro 2020 slowly, but they scored five goals against Slovakia in their last group stage game and topped it off with an impressive comeback victory against Croatia, with Pedri playing a starring role in both those wins. His backpass to Unai Simon against Croatia led to one of the most unbelievable own goals in football history, but he dominated the likes of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic in midfield to announce himself on the grandest stage.
Pedri is incredibly calm on the ball and his maturity belied his age at Euro 2020, as Luis Enrique showered the highest of praise on the youngster after Spain's defeat to Italy in the semi-final.
"Did you see how Pedri played in this tournament? I've never seen an 18 year old like him before, not even Don Andrés Iniesta. It’s a crazy thing. We have to take care of him.”
Pedri was undoubtedly one of the most consistent players at Euro 2020 and was named Young Player of the Tournament ahead of some decorated names. Spain and Barcelona are in good hands, with the diminutive midfielder set to play a key role for club and country in the years ahead.
#1 Raheem Sterling | England, Manchester City
Ahead of Euro 2020, a lot was said about Raheem Sterling, as he endured a rather disappointing season with Manchester City on a personal level. He didn't look confident in the final third and seemed to lack invention, as rumors emerged that he could be part of a swap deal that could see Harry Kane move to the Etihad Stadium.
However, Gareth Southgate opted to start Sterling for England's Euro 2020 opener against Croatia, as he partnered Harry Kane and Phil Foden in attack. The former Liverpool winger immediately justified his manager's faith in him, as he scored the solitary goal of the game to give his side all three points. Sterling once again emerged as England's match-winner against Czech Republic, as he once again scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory.
The knockout stages saw England come up against arch-rivals Germany in arguably their first big test of Euro 2020. Sterling stepped up to the plate once again and scored the opening goal, as the Three Lions recorded a 2-0 victory after a late strike from Harry Kane sealed the deal for them at the Wembley Stadium. He didn't score again in the tournament, but he bailed England out in the group stages and carried a misfiring attack on his shoulders through Kane's bad run of form.
Sterling is an experienced campaigner now, but he finally showed his class in a major tournament for England and was undoubtedly their best player. In the semi-final against Denmark, he never stopped running and was an absolute menace to deal with, as he won an extra-time penalty which was eventually converted by Kane.
On the grandest stage, the 26-year-old stepped up when it mattered most and produced a string of stunning displays to vindicate Southgate's faith in him.
Honorable mentions: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Paul Pogba (France), Harry Kane (England), Luke Shaw (England), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Denmark)
Also Read: Jim Beglin column - 5 players who have surprised everyone with their performances at Euro 2020
