The history of European football is filled with memorable individual performances, and football fans can expect the same this summer when Germany hosts Euro 2024. It’s a competition every player on the continent dreams of playing in and hopefully winning.
This year’s tournament will feature some of the biggest football players in the world who are capable of stunning the crowd with dazzling displays as they adorn the colors of their respective national teams. There will be opportunities for the greats to solidify their legacy and for rising talents to become superstars.
As expected, Euro 2024 tickets are selling fast as the world prepares to witness legacy-defining moments from players. With anticipation in the air, we take a look back at some of the greatest performances throughout the years.
Patrick Kluivert – Euro 2000
Kluivert was only 18 years old when he announced himself to the world after scoring the winner for Ajax in the 1995 UEFA Champions League final. He was heralded as one of the most exciting teenage talents in the world, and his move to Barcelona in the summer of 1998 cemented his superstar status. Forming a fruitful partnership with Rivaldo, he helped the Blaugrana to a consecutive La Liga title in 1999, scoring 16 league goals for the club.
But the world was yet to see his full potential until he showed out at Euro 2000. Kluivert scored five goals for the Dutch, finishing joint-top scorer with Savo Milošević. His hat-trick in the quarter-final will never be forgotten as he helped Oranje to a 6-1 win against Yugoslavia.
Kluivert’s fine campaign unfortunately didn’t end well as the Dutch were knocked out of the semi-final by Italy in a penalty shootout. Although he converted from the spot during the shootout, his penalty miss in normal regulation proved costly for the promising Netherlands team.
Alan Shearer – Euro 1996
Alan Shearer is widely regarded as the greatest center forward to play for England, and he was at the peak of his powers for the Three Lions when they hosted the Euros in 1996.
The year marked 30 years since England last won a major tournament title and Shearer almost single-handedly led them to glory. England found themselves in the semi-finals of the competition on the back of Shearer’s brilliance in front of goal. Despite a disappointing penalty shootout loss to the eventual winners, Germany, Shearer was named in the Euro Team of the Tournament. He also finished as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals. His brace against the Netherlands in the last round of the group stage and his early goal against Germany are perhaps his most standout goals and will remain fresh in the hearts of England faithful.
Roman Pavlyuchenko – Euro 2008
Russia had one of its finest showings at the Euros and a key factor was their in-form striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. The former Spartak Moscow forward’s goal-scoring was instrumental to Russia’s deep run and he was named in the Team of the Tournament, a befitting honor for his brilliant campaign. After a 4-1 hammering from Spain in the opening group stage match in which he scored Russia’s consolation goal, Pavlyuchenko, together with buzzing winger Andrey Arshavin, helped Russia bounce back with wins against 2004 Euro Champions, Greece, and Sweden to advance as runners-up.
The two were yet again the catalysts that helped Russia past the Netherlands to secure a semi-final spot. Unfortunately, they met a familiar and red-hot foe in Spain and were short of answers. Nevertheless, his quick feet and leadership at the Euros earned the respect of many across the football world.
Matthias Sammer – Euro 1996
While Shearer had to settle for the tournament’s top goal scorer honor, it was Germany’s talisman Matthias Sammer who had the last laugh. The defensive midfield maestro was solid for Die Mannschaft. His most memorable moment at the tournament is undoubtedly the winning goal he scored at Old Trafford in the quarter-final to lead Germany past a stubborn Croatia team.
Sammer was again on top of his game in the semi-final against the host, and was one of the best players on the pitch when Germany defeated the Czech Republic in the final. The Borussia Dortmund legend was named Player of the Tournament and went on to win the Ballon D’or and European Player of the Year the same year.
Francesco Totti – Euro 2000
To the stat sheets fanatics, Francesco Totti’s two goals and one assist might seem underwhelming and undeserving of a shoutout on an all-time list like this. But the eye test tells a different story. You just had to be there to witness Totti’s all-around performance for Italy in Euro 2000.
The Italians made a run to the final but it wouldn’t have been possible without the creative playmaking genius of the legendary midfielder. From dazzling displays at the center of the pitch to a classy panenka against Romania in the quarter-final, the Roman emperor played the best European Championship tournament of his career. Unfortunately, he didn’t get his hands on the trophy as the Azzurri lost to France in a late dramatic fashion.
Peter Schmeichel – Euro 1992
Kim Vilfort may have been Denmark’s most important player on offense, but Peter Schmeichel’s heroics on defense are one of the main reasons they were able to win their first European Cup.
The Manchester United goalkeeper gave the world a show, amassing a highlight of brilliant saves throughout the competition. He conceded just two goals in the group stage and was Denmark’s penalty shootout hero in the semi-final against the Netherlands when he saved Marco van Basten’s penalty. His final performance in the tournament was the icing on the cake. He made two brilliant saves in the first half to deny West Germany’s Jürgen Klinsmann and Stefan Effenberg. With Denmark holding on to a narrow lead, Schmeichel again kept his composure to deny a sublime header from Klinsmann in the second half before Kim Vilfort’s 78th-minute strike secured the win.