As Euro 2024 draws to a close, the excitement was not just about which team is lifting the trophy. Fans are also eager to know which players was honored with individual awards.
At the end of each UEFA European Championship, prizes are presented to players and teams who have stood out in various elements of the game.
The Player of the Tournament, Young Player of the Tournament, and Team of the Tournament are some of the prestigious accolades that recognize the exceptional talent and impact of players throughout the competition.
In addition, there is another award given to the top scorer of the tournament — the Golden Boot — which will be shared among Harry Kane, Spain's Dani Olmo, Georgia's Georges Mikautadze, the Netherlands' Cody Gakpo, Slovakia's Ivan Schranz and Germany's Jamal Musiala as they all finished the tournament on three goals.
The Sporting News covers all honors handed out after the Euro 2024 final.
Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament
The Player of the Tournament award is the highest honor an individual player can receive at the Euros. The award recognizes the standout performer, who has consistently delivered exceptional performances throughout the tournament.
Due to the award given to Peter Schmeichel in 1992 being unofficial, Gianluigi Donnarumma became the first goalkeeper to officially win the UEFA Euro Player of the Tournament award at Euro 2020.
For Euro 2024, the winner was decided by UEFA's technical observers, a group of experts including Fabio Capello, Rafael Benítez, Frank de Boer and Ole Gunnar Solskjær. They analyzed every game and considered individual impact, attitude, and respect towards opponents.
Several players emerged as strong contenders. Lamine Yamal of Spain has been a revelation, dazzling fans with his skill and maturity despite being just 17 years old.
🏆 Player of the Tournament: Rodri #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/sxKEu8Fe4h
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 14, 2024
Rodri was a rock in Spain’s midfield, providing stability and even scoring crucial goals. Dani Olmo’s creativity and scoring ability have also made him a standout player for Spain, while England's star players have also shown exceptional performances, making the final decision for UEFA even more challenging.
The award was indeed given to Rodri and was announced shortly after the final whistle in the final.
Euro 2024 Young Player of the Tournament
The Young Player of the Tournament award is given to the best player aged 22 or under. For Euro 2024, the standout candidate was Lamine Yamal and he won the award moment after the fulltime whistle.
The 17-year-old Spanish sensation was phenomenal, playing with the poise and skill of a seasoned professional. Lamine Yamal contributed significantly to Spain’s success, scoring a brilliant solo goal in the semifinal against France and consistently creating opportunities for his teammates.
Having turned 17 just a day before the final, Lamine Yamal took Euro 2024 by storm. He created history by scoring against France, becoming the youngest player ever to score in the European Championships.
The world is at his feet 🌍#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/ylFyJwq0YP
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 14, 2024
He then assisted Spain's opener vs. England in the final as he picked out Nico Williams before he slotted home past Jordan Pickford.
Other notable young players included England's Jude Bellingham, who has had a remarkable year with Real Madrid and had his moments in the Euros — most notably, if he hadn't scored a stoppage-time scissor-kick goal against Slovakia the Three Lions might not have made it to the final.
Germany’s Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala also stood out, while Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons also impressed with his performances.
However, Lamine Yamal's impact on Spain’s journey to the final made him stand tall among the rest.
Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament
The Team of the Tournament is chosen by UEFA's technical observers and includes the best players in each position. This team reflects the tactical trends and standout performers of the competition.
The final 11 was announced two days after the final, continuing the tradition from previous tournaments.
Six players from winners Spain and one from the runners-up England were named in the lineup, along with two players from France and one each from Germany and Switzerland.
The panel chose a 4-3-3 formation, which was one of the most frequently used during the tournament.
Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament (4-3-3):
Mike Maignan (France); Kyle Walker (England), Manuel Akanji (Switzerland), William Saliba (France), Marc Cucurella (Spain); Dani Olmo (Spain), Rodri (Spain), Fabian Ruiz (Spain); Lamine Yamal (Spain), Jamal Musiala (Germany), Nico Williams (Spain)
Previous winners of UEFA Euros player awards
Since 1996, UEFA has been awarding the Player of the Tournament to the best performer at each edition of the championship. This accolade recognizes the player who has made the most significant impact throughout the tournament.
Additionally, since 2016, the Young Player of the Tournament award has been given to the best player aged 22 or under.
| Tournament | Player of the Tournament | Young Player of the Tournament |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 England | Matthias Sammer (Germany) | N/A |
| 2000 Belgium/Netherlands | Zinedine Zidane (France) | N/A |
| 2004 Portugal | Theodoros Zagorakis (Greece) | N/A |
| 2008 Austria/Switzerland | Xavi (Spain) | N/A |
| 2012 Poland/Ukraine | Andres Iniesta (Spain) | N/A |
| 2016 France | Antoine Griezmann (France) | Renato Sanches (Portugal) |
| 2020 Europe | Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy) | Pedri (Spain) |