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Lamine Yamal shines for Spain in the Euro 2024 | Image: UEFA
The Euro is one of the biggest platforms for European football players to showcase their talent. Most young players often break down under pressure or spend years on the training grounds before making their mark on the world stage but the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney stand out among the elites who tasted success early in their careers. We have seen many young players excel in the Euros and go on to become the next big thing in the world of football. Barcelona's generational talent Lamine Yamal came out as the star boy in the Euro 2024 and at the age of only 16, he is dominating the opposition defenders. So, it's time we look at the Greatest teenagers in the history of the Euros.
Read Also: Top Five youngest scorers in UEFA Euro history
Greatest teenagers in the UEFA Euro history
5. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Euro 2004)
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Cristiano Ronaldo headed into Euro 2004 on home soil with a clear aim of winning it, but the underdogs Greece had the last laugh in the final. But Ronaldo had a terrific campaign. He scored a brilliant header after coming off the bench in the opening group-stage game and slowly started to break into the first team. He scored two goals in his debut Euro season and a new chapter of becoming a global phenomenon started since then.
4. Arda Guler (Turkey, Euro 2024)
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Guler's maiden season in Real Madrid was severely affected by injury. He scored one of the best goals of the Euro in Turkey's first game, a 3-1 victory over Georgia. He also played a significant role in the win over the Czech Republic.
He was the difference-maker against Austria too. His passing and crosses were enough to threaten the opposition's defence. Guler set up Samet Akaydin with a pinpoint cross in the quarter-final but unfortunately, they lost the game to the Netherlands. His brilliant season earns him a place on this list.
3. Pedri (Spain, Euro 2020)
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Not only did the Spanish midfielder dominate Euro 2020 following a draining club season at Barcelona, but he also represented his country at the Olympics. He won the Best Young Player of the Tournament award and also made his place in the Team of the Tournament after playing a major role in helping Spain to reach the semi-finals. No player in the tournament completed more passes in the opposing half than Pedri. He couldn't register a goal or an assist but his performances were something to be cheered about.
2. Lamine Yamal (Spain, Euro 2024)
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Lamine Yamal wrote his name in the history books after scoring an equalizer for Spain against France in the 21st minute in the semi-final of the UEFA Euro 2024, becoming the youngest goalscorer (16 years and 362 days) in the history of this competition. Yamal had been dominating every opposition in the 2024 edition of the European Championship but only a goal was missing from his tally. It finally came in the big moment when he scored the equalizer with his left foot from outside the box. Yamal is currently the joint assist leader of the tournament with three assists and lots of credit goes to him behind Spain's domination in the Euro 2024. No wonder why he is second on this list.
1. Wayne Rooney (England, Euro 2004)
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Wayne Rooney was just sensational in the Euro 2004. The teenager showed everyone why he was going to be the next big thing in the World of Football. He was making headlines after headlines in that edition of the Euros. He scored four goals in the 2004 Euros, ending the tournament as the second-equal top scorer alongside the Netherlands' Ruud van Nistelrooy and one behind the Czech Republic's Milan Baroš. However, it didn't end in England's way. Rooney was subbed off with a broken foot in the quarter-final against Portugal and eventually lost the game.