UEFA Euro and Copa America 2024 concluded July 14 with Spain and Argentina lifting the respective trophies after dominant performances this summer.
Here is 90min’s Euro and Copa America 2024 combined team of the tournament.
Entries included reflect individual tournament best XIs originally written by Jack Gallagher and Max Mallow. Check out the original pieces for Euro and Copa America specific best XIs.
- GK: Emiliano Martinez
Emiliano Martinez might be one of the most polarizing players today. He’s got his fans and his haters, but there’s no denying how talented he is.
Three tournaments in a row, three Golden Glove awards. You can make the argument he’s La Albiceleste’s most important player. He conceded just one goal all tournament.
- LB: Marc Cucurella
Yep, Marc Cucurella was the best left-back at Euro 2024.
That is a thing that really happened.
The Chelsea defender put in career-best performances for Spain to prove his many, many doubters wrong. He even popped up with the final-winning assist for Mikel Oyarzabal. Nice one.
- CB: Cristian Romero
Cristian Romero is quickly establishing himself as one of the best defenders in the world. If William Saliba was the best defender of the Euros, Romero is the Copa America equivalent. Argentina’s defense conceded just one goal all tournament.
- CB: William Saliba
The best centre-back in the Premier League was also the best centre-back at Euro 2024.
Go figure.
While France’s forward line were struggling to hit a barn door in Germany – four goals in six games tells that story, William Saliba at least held up his end of the bargain at the other end of the pitch. The defender was superb for Les Bleus both on and off the ball.
- RB: Daniel Munoz
While Munoz’s tournament ended early after picking up a red card against Uruguay in the semi-finals, he was still one of the best defenders in the entire tournament. On top of his defensive prowess, he scored two goals and assisted once during the tournament.
- CM: Rodri
With Rodri in your starting lineup, chances are you’re going to win every game of football you play.
That’s exactly what Spain did. The midfielder was at his brilliant best throughout Euro 2024, putting in all-action midfield performances and even chipping in with the odd crucial goal too.
He’s now the heavy favourite to win the Ballon d’Or…
- CM: Fabian Ruiz
Rodri’s partner in the middle of the park was also bloody brilliant throughout Euro 2024.
Fabian Ruiz’s four goal contributions and consistent brilliance in and out of possession where key reasons why Spain went all the way in Germany this summer.
PSG fans will be hoping he brings his international form back to club football.
- CM: James Rodriguez
You can’t have a Team of the Tournament without including the Golden Ball winner. The shot of James accepting the award after losing the final is one of heartbreak, but it shouldn’t overshadow his performances this tournament.
No player assisted more than James this tournament. The feel-good factor of a player who announced himself on the world’s stage back in 2014 returning to his best was one of the best stories of the entire tournament.
- RW: Lamine Yamal
Celebrating your 17th birthday by winning the Euros is something that has quite literally never been done by a footballer before.
Lamine Yamal was utterly extraordinary during Euro 2024, providing Spain with quality way beyond his years on the right flank and even scoring the goal of the tournament in the semi-finals.
The sky is the limit for the Spaniard.
- LW: Nico Williams
The player of the match in the Euro 2024 final is available this summer for €58m this summer.
That may be the bargain of the century.
Nico Williams was utterly sublime in the final win over England, as he was during 99% of the rest of the tournament too.
- ST: Lautaro Martinez
Two years ago, Lautaro Martinez and Argentina lifted the World Cup.
For many, La Albiceleste won that tournament in spite of his performances. He ended up losing his starting role to Julian Alvarez, but this tournament was a redemption arc for the Inter Milan player on the international state.
Either off the bench or in the starting lineup, Martinez was the attacking catalyst. He scored the most goals of any player in thetournament lifting the Golden Boot.
What we know
- UEFA Euro and Copa America 2024 both concluded July 14
- Spain and Argentina won their respective competitions
- Rodri, Lautaro and Emiliano Martinez highlight a combined best XI.