The UEFA European Championships have witnessed some of the greatest football players in history. In a recent poll of 2,000 football fans, Cristiano Ronaldo was named the best ever player in the Euros. The Portuguese superstar beat out Frenchman Zinedine Zidane and England legend Bobby Charlton for the top spot. Other players considered among the greatest to participate in the tournament included David Beckham, Andres Iniesta, and Marco van Basten.
While Ronaldo claimed the title of the best individual player, the poll also examined which nationality produces the biggest Euros legends. Surprisingly, Spain came out on top, leaving England fans disappointed as their national team placed third behind the Spaniards and fierce rivals Germany.
When asked about the most exciting type of player to watch in the Euros, 30 percent of respondents chose strikers. However, 21 percent expressed a preference for “link” players who operate between the midfield and the strikers, while 14 percent admitted to loving watching tricky wingers.
Interestingly, 60 percent of respondents believed that to be considered a true Euros great, a player needs to have actually won the tournament. This criterion would sadly rule out any British player. Despite this, 21 percent of football fans are confident that this could be England’s year, surpassing their final loss to Italy in the last edition of the tournament.
Looking back at past Euros-winning sides, Spain’s 2012 team was hailed as the greatest of all time. The side featured midfield maestros Xavi and Andres Iniesta, as well as legendary defenders Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique. Their dominance on the pitch earned them a place in history as one of the most formidable teams ever assembled for the tournament.
As Euro 2024 promises to be a vintage tournament following delays and disruptions due to the pandemic, England and Scotland will enter with confidence. Players like Bukayo Saka and Andy Robertson have been in outstanding form for their clubs, raising hopes for a strong showing in the upcoming championship.
The spokesperson for Lottoland, the company that commissioned the survey, expressed optimism about British players’ prospects in future polls. They suggested that if the survey were conducted again in 10 years, a British player might find themselves topping the list. Only time will tell if this prediction comes true.
Overall, the poll results offer a fascinating insight into football fans’ opinions on the best players in the history of the Euros. While Ronaldo emerged as the fans’ choice for the greatest individual player, Spain’s dominance and England’s perennial quest for success provide additional talking points and fuel anticipation for Euro 2024.