With Euro 2020 at a close, it’s time to look back and recognise those players who have made a name for themselves on the big European stage. International tournaments always provide the opportunity for individuals to shine, often despite team failures or slip-ups, and the delayed Euros was no different.

In the space of a month we have seen several headlines being made and a fair few cult heroes being born. From goalkeepers to strikers and even a few genuine lifesavers, each nation found itself a fan-favourite who provided moment or moments of joy and pride for a whole country.

In this post, I have picked just my top 3 players who were truly remarkable in the competition. This list could have easily been a list of about 23, however I really have tried to pin-point those truly deserving players and recognise their efforts in the best way I know how… a blog post on NextGoalWinner.com

So, as always if you have anything to add, or want to challenge my choices then feel free to Tweet (@NextGoalWinBlog) and let me know what you think.

Enjoy.

Federico Chiesa (Italy)

Italy were dominant throughout the tournament, and their shining light, was Juventus loanee Federico Chiesa. The 23 year old was man of the match in the final group game against Wales, netted the opener in the round of 16 against Austria, scored the opener and won man of the match in the semi-final against Spain and although subbed off late in the final against England, had played his part and took home a winners medal for his efforts. As a result, he has been named in the team of the tournament, and will no doubt be made a permanent member of Juventus’ squad. He was seen by many (myself included) as the stand-out talent of the tournament, and although playing alongside experienced heads in the Italian side, was undoubtedly the Euro 2020 rising star, and I am very intrigued to see where Chiesa and this Italy side under Mancini will go from this win. For a long time, Italy had fallen off their pedestal, however they seem to have recovered and gotten themselves back on top for the foreseeable future.

Raheem Sterling (England)

Many fans and pundits had questioned Sterling’s place in the whole England side during the build up to the tournament, with many thinking the forward’s club form had dipped to such a point that he didn’t warrant a place ahead of some more in-form strikers. However, despite this Southgate showed throughout the tournament to stick with his tried and trusted players, and Sterling repaid this support ten-fold. Securing England’s two group D victories with his goals against Czech Republic and Croatia, he was truly the key man behind England making it out of group D and in their impressive run to the final. From here, he was again on the scoresheet as he netted England’s 1st against Germany in the round of 16. Although unable to add to his 3 later in the tournament, his performances and crucial goals were key in England’s run and many, many sceptics were left to eat their words about the City striker.

Simon Kjaer (Denmark)

My final pick for star player of the tournament, goes to a man not only who performed on the field for his job, but primarily for his heroics in the horrific incident in the group fixture between Denmark and Finland. Without wanting to go into too much detail without the key facts, the incident occurred when Denmark’s star man Eriksen fell to the ground in the first half of the group B fixture. This incident was a horrendous encounter which nobody was anticipating and the quick reaction of Kjaer alongside teammates, not only helped to surely save Eriksen’s life, but after giving the initial CPR he helped create the barrier to shield the doctors and medics working on Eriksen from the cameras and then was seen consoling Eriksen’s wife on the touchlines during these dreadful moments. It was true heroics on a day that became much more than the game itself.

Furthermore, and although arguably not as important but still valuable, was his side’s impressive run in the tournament, seeing them edged by a whisker in the semi-final against England. A truly impressive tournament from the whole side, from their horrible opening loss, to be on the verge of the final. It was a great showing from the Danish, and captain Kjaer was instrumental in all of this.