Meet Six Stars To Look Out For As Euro 2020 Kickoff

The long awaited Euro 2020 begins Friday with lots of excitement expected to hit the football world.

The competition which was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic will last for one month, between June 11 to July 11.

Turkey will take on Italy on Friday in the opening match at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome as Covid-19 continue to hunt the tournament.

Only about 25 percent of the stadium’s capacity will be allowed, that is about 16,000 supporters will be present to watch Roberto Mancini’s first game in Group A.

London will host both the semi-finals and July 11 finals of the 24-team competition.

In the 2020-2021 season across Europe, clubs like Chelsea in England, Manchester City, Villareal, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Atletico made a classic outing.

N’golo Konte (France)

N’golo Konte of Chelsea will be one of the stars for France, having led the team to their second UEFA Champions League glory.

The defensive-minded midfielder  is tipped to be the favourite to win the coveted Ballon d’Or.

Konte named Man of the Match in both legs of a Champions League semi-final and the final will be part of the French team to battle in Group

Former captain of France, Didier Deschamps’ team are undoubtedly the consensus favourites to  lift the trophy at Wembley Stadium.

The team will face  Germany, Portugal and Hungary in Group F, also tagged the ‘group of death.’

Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

The FIFA reigning player of the year, Robert Lewandowski, ended the 2020-2021 Bundesliga season with 41 goals in 29 games.

Apart from his goal scoring record, the Poland captain led Bayern Munich to their 30th league title.

Lewandowski, 32, moved into second position in the Bundesliga’s all-time scoring record.

He has 276 in 349 games which is 89 goals away from Gerd Muller’s 365 goals in 427 games.

Under Portuguese coach, Paulo Sousa, Lewandowski will lead his team to battle Spain, Sweden and Slovakia in the Group E.

Kevin de Bruyne (France)

Manchester City playmaker, Kevin de Bruyne, will be playing for  Belgium after a successful surgery as announced Thursday.

De Bruyne departed the Champions League final early in the second half after colliding with Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger in the Champions League final.

But the midfielder’s role in City’s 2020-2021 season contributed to the Premier League title won by the club.

He is also ranked as one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or award.

In Group B, Belgium will battle Russia, Denmark and Finland.

Kylian Mbappe (France)

Paris Saint-Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe, has been in the spotlight as he netted 28 goals and 4 assists for the team.

He won the  Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions and is expected to help France to win the Euro after losing out to Portugal on 10 July 2016 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France.

Mbappe who may continue at PSG has been ranked among the top footballers that may win the Ballon d’Or.

His stunning hat-trick against Barcelona in Spain was a booster and a revenge on Bayern Munich to advance to the second straight UCL semi finals.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Juventus Forward, Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the finest players in the history of football.

The Portuguese captain took the team to win the title in 2016 after surviving group stage elimination.

He has five Ballon d’Or awards, but has a slim chance to lift the 2021 award.

If Ronaldo, 36, scores six goals at the tournament, he will become the top international goalscorer of all time.

Iran legend Ali Daei, who scored 109 goals in 149 games for his country, while Ronaldo has 104 in 174.

He has scored a total of 33 goals 29 in the Serie A and 4 in the Champions League.

Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)

Inter Milan striker, Romelu Lukaku, will play a crucial in Belgium’s quest to win their  Euro since 1060.

Lukaku was phenomenal in Inter’s Serie A victory after eleven years.

The 28-year-old scored 37 goals in all competitions with 24 goals scored in the Serie A and 7 assists.