The Real Madrid superstar is one of a number of high-profile players to miss out on inclusion but there is room for the game’s next superstar…
The final of the 2024 European Championship is almost upon us, with Spain and England set to meet in the tournament-decider in Berlin on Sunday night. It could be an epic encounter, a classic clash of styles, with La Roja having entertained everyone with their direct and dynamic play, while the Three Lions have proven remarkably resilient.
Both teams are also packed with world-class talents, some of whom have really stepped up to the mark in Germany, producing moments of pure magic to keep their country’s hopes of glory alive.
So, which players would warrant inclusion in a combined XI? GOAL makes our picks below and has been forced to leave out some seriously big names.
Let us know your thoughts – and your own Spain-England XIs – in the comment box provided…
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Getty ImagesGK: Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford has copped an awful lot of flak over the years and some of it is obviously rooted in the fact that he’s a rather aggressive character on the field. Credit where it’s due, though, the Everton goalkeeper has never let the criticism affect him, he’s seen off every challenge for the England No.1 shirt, and has been integral to his nation reaching another European Championship final.
Unai Simon has done well for Spain, for the most part, but he always makes at least one poor decision in every game, whereas Pickford has been pretty flawless thus far. He may not be the biggest goalkeeper but he came up big once again for England in the quarter-final shootout win over Switzerland.
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GettyRB: Kyle Walker
Dani Carvajal is one of the most underestimated players in world football – which is utterly bizarre given he’s been a regular starter for Real Madrid during one of the most successful eras in the club’s history – and he’s been his usual consistent self in Germany.
However, he did get himself sent off in the dying seconds of Spain’s quarter-final win over Germany, so we’re going to go with Kyle Walker at right-back instead, as the England man has barely put a foot wrong from a defensive perspective.
The versatile Manchester City defender may not be everyone’s cup of tea but his defensive abilities cannot be faulted. If one defender has the pace and nous to deal with Spain winger Nico Williams, it’s Walker, who rather incredibly still seems to be as quick as ever at 34 years of age.
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GettyCB: John Stones
There were serious doubts over John Stones’ match fitness coming into this tournament, as he’d barely played for Manchester City during the final few weeks of the season. However, despite seeing his regular central defensive partner Harry Maguire ruled out by injury, he’s performed with his usual level of class and composure, whether playing in a back four or a back three.
Robin Le Normand has had some good games but he did score an own goal against Georgia and never really had any chance of getting into our team ahead of the player that’s completed the most passes in Germany (495).
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GettyCB: Aymeric Laporte
Aymeric Laporte leaving Manchester City for Al-Nassr felt like such a strange move at the time – but even more so now, with the 30-year-old proving at the Euros that he remains one of the classiest centre-backs in the game.
Laporte was particularly impressive in Spain’s wins over Germany and France – the perfect riposte to those of us that wondered whether Pep Guardiola had got rid of him because of a perceived decline in quality.
So, while Marc Guehi deserves tremendous credit for the way in which he has stepped up to the mark for England, the resurgent Laporte has been a cut above the Englishman – and nearly every other defender in Germany.
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Getty ImagesLB: Marc Cucurella
No contest here, with the pedestrian Kieran Trippier having spent the tournament deputising for the injured Luke Shaw on England’s left flank. But that shouldn’t detract from the performances of Marc Cucurella, who has been one of the revelations of the tournament.
Indeed, after two desperately underwhelming seasons at Brighton, Cucurella was arguably fortunate just to be in the Spain squad – let alone starting. However, he’s been immense for Luis de la Fuente, with his energy and relentless tenacity making him a nightmare for wingers, as Italy’s Federico Chiesa can attest.
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Getty ImagesCM: Rodri
It’s really quite simple: Rodri is not just the best midfielder in the world; he’s its best player. Nobody controls or influences a game like Spain’s silky playmaker and if he runs the show in Berlin, the 28-year-old could well end up winning the Ballon d’Or, which would be testament to his genius given the award nearly always goes to attackers.
Declan Rice will obviously have a major say in how things go in the final – the versatile Arsenal man has been his usual industrious self in Germany, winning more tackles than anyone else (14) – but even he’s admitted that Rodri sets the standard to which all No.6s aspire. As usual, he’s been a joy to watch at the Euros.
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Getty ImagesCM: Fabian Ruiz
It’s finally happened for Fabian Ruiz. His world-class potential was obvious at Napoli but, for a long time, it didn’t look like he was going to realise it at Paris Saint-Germain. However, he finished the season strongly and has now lit up Euro 2024.
In two of his five appearances, Fabian Ruiz has both scored and created a goal, but it’s actually been his technical brilliance on the ball that’s really stood out. The 28-year-old always seems to find sufficient space to pick a pass or get away from his man.
Kobbie Mainoo has improved England since coming into the starting line-up but Fabian Ruiz has been outstanding throughout and the completeness of his game is underlined by the fact that no player has won possession more times (40) than the Spaniard.
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Getty ImagesRW: Lamine Yamal
A star has been born in Germany. No matter what happens in Sunday’s final, Euro 2024 is likely to be best remembered for the emergence of Lamine Yamal, the teenage sensation who has broken records set by Pele.
His skills are amazing, his maturity even more so. He never seems to panic under pressure and always seems to take the right option. No player in Germany has created more goals (three) or chances (16), while his stunning strike in the semi-final win over France showed why Luis de la Fuente believes this prodigious talent has been “touched by God”.
Bukayo Saka has done a decent job for England, even scoring a vital equaliser against Switzerland, but he’s just not reached anything like the same level as Yamal. Few players have, in fairness.
Source goal.com
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