Euro 2016: 5 players hoping to light up the tournament
Quadrennial competition kicks off in the Stade de France this evening with the hosts' game against Romania
- England, Wales and Northern Ireland all hoping to progress
- These 5 will be hoping to inspire their nations to glory in France
Euro 2016 kicks off on Friday evening in one of the most highly-anticipated sporting events of the year. An increased number of 24 teams will go to battle in France hoping to take European glory for their country.
Some of the biggest global superstars will take to the stage over the month-long tournament, which has been clouded by security concerns and labour strikes in various French cities. Here are the five players which could have an important impact during the tournament.
1. Paul Pogba
The rangy Juventus midfielder is being earmarked as the potential star of the tournament, finally getting to make his mark on the big international stage. France are pinning their hopes on Pogba and his hugely talented teammates to bring a home victory.
The midfielder is a box-to-box midfielder with an imposing figure who is technically oustanding and could perhaps dominate teams given half a chance.
2. Kevin de Bruyne
The baby-faced Belgian has been in impressive form for club and country this season and is set for a big tournament in France. Surrounded by bags of Premier League talent, if he is on form and clicks with the likes of Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, Belgium could be on for a successful competition.
The baby-faced Belgian has been in impressive form for club and country this season
A very intelligent player with a steely composure, de Bruyne can play anywhere along the midfield and is sure to cause plenty of headaches for opposition defenders.
3. Dele Alli
The English attacker was plying his trade with League One MK Dons a year ago and his meteoric rise to the England set up has been remarkable. If he is given a serious role in the England team he is a player who has shown does not fear the big occasion.
The Tottenham player is a stylish footballer with eye for goal, particularly from long distance, and could be the wildcard England need to go far.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
Who else? After another season of 50+ goals for Real Madrid, Portugal's Euro 2016 hopes rest once again firmly on the shoulders of their talisman CR7. After a long season that finished with European glory and a plaguing injury, is he in the right condition to propel the Portuguese to the top?
Portugal's Euro 2016 hopes rest once again firmly on the shoulders of their talisman CR7
His goalscoring power is undoubted, as he has shown for club and country. Added to his physicality and pure speed, there aren't many on the planet better than this guy at the moment. He will be particularly keen to put a poor Champions League final performance behind him.
5. Nolito
Many in England probably aren't too aware of the Celta Vigo forward's prowess, but he has enjoyed a fantastic season in Spain and could provide the answer to the Spanish problem of finding a regular striker. Despite a strong finish to the end of the season, Fernando Torres did not make the squad and their forward options look weak.
At 29 years old he is a latecomer to the Spain squad but his physical presence could provide the focal point they need to complete a Euro three-in-a-row.