At the same time, the tournament could be the last for a number of top players:
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
De Bruyne certainly still has the talent to continue playing until the 2026 World Cup, but the attacking midfielder, who turns 33 this month, has fitness issues that could see him decide to retire international football in the hope of extending his club career.
After all, if Belgium wins, there’s probably no point in staying on the national team. If he loses again, De Bruyne will probably decide he’s had enough disappointment.
Olivier Giroud (France)
The 37-year-old striker has already revealed that he will not only move to MLS this summer, but will also end his international career after the Euros. “We have to make room for youth,” Giroud told L’Equipe.
Antoine Griezmann (France)
Griezmann is a player who has long relied on his exceptional footballing intelligence to succeed at the highest level, so he could theoretically last until 2026. But the 33-year-old has already won and done it all for France. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he leaves the national team this summer.
Ilkay Gundogan (Germany)
Even at 33, the German captain remains a formidable force and is aiming to win the European Cup on home soil this summer. If Gundogan does so, he will likely consider it the ideal time to retire from the national team and focus solely on playing for Barcelona.
N’Golo Kanté (France)
Kanté’s call-up for the Euros was already a surprise given his persistent injury problems in recent years and the fact that he is currently playing in Saudi Arabia. So even if Didier Deschamps claims that the midfielder has regained all his physical abilities, the Euro will almost certainly be the 33-year-old’s swan song.
Toni Kroos (Germany)
We already know that Kroos will not just leave the national team after the Euro, he will hang up his boots.
“My goal has always been to finish my career at the peak of my abilities,” said the 34-year-old.
Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
The 35-year-old striker scored 26 goals in all competitions last season, but there was plenty of evidence that Lewandowski was starting to slow down. He may not have the energy or desire to embark on another World Cup qualifying campaign, especially if Poland disappoints again at a major tournament.
Luka Modric (Croatia)
The famous midfielder has already decided to spend another year at Real Madrid, but it would also be a big surprise if he decides to continue playing for Croatia after the Euros. Modric is the most prominent representative of the “golden generation” of Croatian football, which finished second in the 2018 World Cup and third in the 2022 World Cup. At the same time, at the last two European Championships, Croatia was eliminated in the 1/8 finals.
Jesus Navas (Spain)
The right-back is preparing for a major international tournament at the age of 38, although he previously suffered from chronic homesickness – to the point where he would turn down a training camp in Spain if he was too far from his native Seville. The fact that he is still playing is a credit to his talent and courage. However, Navas will almost certainly bid farewell to the Red Furies after the Euros.
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Neuer turned 38 in March, but he remains number one in the German national team at the Euros. Thus, he will hope to win the European Championship 10 years after winning the World Championship. But whether he does or not, Neuer should ultimately step aside and allow Marc-Andre ter Stegen to take a chance on becoming Germany’s number one.
Pépé (Portugal)
Pepe is playing at a high level at 41 years old. The man is so determined that we cannot exclude that he will continue playing until the 2026 World Cup in North America, but we have the feeling that Pepe will still finish his career with the national team, d ‘especially since Portugal no longer lacks quality. young central defenders.
Jan Vertonghen (Belgium)
Last September, the central midfielder made his 150th appearance for his country in a qualifier against Estonia and marked the occasion by opening the scoring in a match Belgium won 5-0. Vertonghen highlighted his importance to Belgium both as a defender and leader. However, given that Vertonghen recently celebrated his 37th birthday, it is likely that the Euros will be his last tournament at international level.
Kyle Walker (England)
The Manchester City right-back, even at 34, is still capable of outplaying wingers 10 years his junior. England will hope Walker continues to play no matter what happens in Germany, especially as Ben White shows little interest in playing for the national team. But it is also possible that Walker will focus on playing at club level for Manchester City.
Vyacheslav Gorbachev, Athletistic
Source: Sport
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
