We’re at the business end of Euro 2024 and while all eyes are firmly on the Henri Delaunay trophy that will be handed out in Berlin on July 14, the race for the Player of the Tournament award looks to be a fascinating one.
Earlier in the tournament, the likes of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Toni Kroos were the favourites to land the award, but it’s fair to say none of them have grabbed the tournament by the scruff of the net.
So who is the current favourite? Here are the leading contenders for the award, with odds courtesy of bet365 and correct as of 4pm on Saturday July 6.
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Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament contenders: 1. Rodri (Spain)
Club: Manchester City
Age: 28
Odds: 4/1
When the odds for the player of the tournament prize were released prior to the start of the action in Germany, Manchester City midfielder Rodri was nowhere near the top of this list, which instead featured more attacking, flashier names.
But just as Premier League viewers will have seen in recent years, Rodri is arguably the most important player for the best team in the competition. Clearly the best in the world at what he does, Rodri sets the tone for a Spain team looking to claim a record fourth European Championship.
2. Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Club: Barcelona
Age: 16
Odds: 5/1
The Barcelona wunderkind will turn 17 the day before the final in Berlin and the teenager has been a breath of fresh so far in Germany. Repaying the faith of manager Luis de la Fuente, Yamal is enjoying one of the best major tournaments by a teenager ever, having notched up three assists so far - something not achieved at a World Cup or Euros since 1966.
3. Jude Bellingham (England)
Club: Real Madrid
Age: 20
Odds: 6/1
The England star was one of the favourites for the prize pre-tournament, a label that looked to be on the money when he headed England in front against Serbia after just 13 minutes of the Three Lions’ opener. But then everything went a bit… flat. England toiled and the Real Madrid man did little to catch the eye throughout the rest of the group stage and for the first 95 minutes of the last-16 clash against Slovakia.
Big players deliver in big moments and that’s exactly what Bellingham did, with his last-gasp overhead kick dragging England out of the quagmire to force extra time before Harry Kane’s goal saw them through, revitalising Bellingham’s prospects of winning the award in the process.
4. Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)
Club: Liverpool
Age: 25
Odds: 9/1
Goals usually mean prizes when it comes to these kind of individual awards and with three goals in the Netherlands’ first four games, the Liverpool man is in the driving seat to land the Golden Boot. Gakpo currently shares top spot with three other players - but Georges Mikautadze, Jamal Musiala and Ivan Schranz’s tournaments are all over.
5. Fabian Ruiz (Spain)
Club: PSG
Age: 28
Odds: 10/1
The Paris Saint-Germain star has been one of Spain’s key players in Germany, netting twice in his side’s run to next week’s semi-final. He would hobble off in extra time against Germany, which could dent his chances of winning this gong.
6. Kylian Mbappe (France)
Club: PSG/Real Madrid
Age: 25
Odds: 12/1
The pre-tournament favourite to win this prize has endured a tough time in Germany. After breaking his nose in France’s opening win over Austria, he would have to sit out the next game before returning wearing a mask against the Netherlands.
Has just one goal to his name so far, which was from the penalty spot and was substituted during extra time of the quarter-final win over Portugal, with his nose clearly still bothering him. Will need to create some moments of magic in whatever time France have left at the tournament if he is to win this prize.
7. N'Golo Kante (France)
Club: Al-Ittihad
Age: 33
Odds: 14/1
One of the comeback stories of the Euro 2024 after returning to the France fold after two years out, Kante has slotted straight back into Didier Deschamps’ side with no fuss at all, showcasing his trademark energy and ability to break up play in the middle. With France lacking an attacking edge in Germany, having the solidity that Kante brings in the middle has been vital.
More Euro 2024 stories
We have a guide on how to get Euro 2024 tickets if you're still looking to go to the tournament. Can’t make it out there? Don’t worry: here’s how to watch Euro 2024 live streams from anywhere in the world
We also have the run-down on Euro 2024 stadiums, with info on host cities, capacities, and everything you need to know.
With plenty of favourites for the tournament in 2024, here's a look at the previous records of some of the bigger nations at the tournament.
