There isn't much that can boost a young player's reputation more than having a breakout major tournament.
Think Enzo Fernandez, who earned a world-record transfer from Benfica to Chelsea after his stellar performances in Qatar in 2022, or Wayne Rooney, who dazzled at Euro 2004 as an 18-year-old and then joined Manchester United from Everton.
This summer, the centre of the footballing world will be Germany, where Europe's leading 24 national teams will compete for continental supremacy.
In the coming weeks rising stars will become household names thanks to their performances in this tournament. Below are 10 young players who could light up Euro 2024.
Florian Wirtz, Germany
Club: Bayer Leverkusen; Position: Attacking midfield; Age: 21; Caps (goals): 16 (1)
The stylish Wirtz has long been earmarked as a future star in Germany, and the 2023/24 season saw him come good on all that promise as he led Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten domestic season with a league and cup double. In league matches he reached double figures for both goals (11) and assists (12) to claim the Bundesliga player of the season prize.
That form was replicated in the cups with Wirtz, a dynamic dribbler with a lethal shot from distance, ending up with 18 goals and 20 assists in 49 games across all competitions. That tally of assists was the highest of any player in Europe's big five leagues.
His first international goal arrived in March – Wirtz scored from range after just eight seconds – when Germany upset France 2-0 in a friendly in Lyon. The tournament hosts are likely to field a youthful and fluid attacking front three with Wirtz on the left, another 21-year-old in Jamal Musiala on the right, and Kai Havertz through the middle.
Lamine Yamal, Spain
Club: Barcelona; Position: Winger; Age: 16; Caps (goals): 6 (2)
If there is a record out there for being the youngest to do something in Spanish football then it likely now belongs to Yamal. Notably, he is the youngest player and scorer for Barcelona and the youngest player and scorer in La Liga.
Last September he became the youngest full international and scorer for Spain when he netted on his debut against Georgia. He followed that up with an electric display in a 2-2 draw with Brazil in March.
Either playing from the start or used as an impact sub, expect to see Yamal terrorising defenders down the right wing with his mazy dribbling and eye for goal.
Yamal turns 17 on July 13, the day before the Euro 2024 final.
Joao Neves, Portugal
Club: Benfica; Position: Midfield; Age: 19; Caps (goals): 5 (0)
Portuguese football has been quite the talent factory in recent years, and in Joao Neves it seems they have their next elite midfielder.
The high-energy 19-year-old has flourished at Benfica, mainly used as part of a double pivot, attracting major interest from Manchester United, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
Neves is tactically astute, happy to take the ball in tight spaces, and is tenacious – punching well above his weight.
Perhaps the trait that stands out the most, however, is his ball-carrying ability, with Neves able to beat his man and accelerate away from trouble with ease to get his team on the front foot. Neves compares favourably in duels and interceptions, but he is so much more than a midfield destroyer.
Kobbie Mainoo, England
Club: Manchester United; Position: Midfield; Age: 19; Caps (goals): 2 (0)
The midfielder's goal in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City and subsequent Euro 2024 call-up capped an astonishing rise for the Manchester United academy product.
Such has been his form – a shining light in an otherwise gloomy campaign at Old Trafford – that he's competing for a starting place in the Three Lions midfield alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.
Whether it be from the start or from the bench, there's every chance Mainoo will make an impact on England's campaign given his creative talents and knack for producing in the big moments.
Warren Zaire-Emery, France
Club: PSG; Position: Midfield; Age: 18; Caps (goals): 2 (1)
Described as a "diamond" by his club boss Luis Enrique, Zaire-Emery has been one of the major success stories of PSG's season. He became the club's youngest player in August 2022 before making 43 appearances across all competitions. That tally included 11 Champions League games as he helped the Parisians reach the last four.
He marked his senior international debut with a goal in a 14-0 qualifying romp against Gibraltar before being confirmed in Didier Deschamps' final 25-man squad for Germany. Despite having won only two caps, there's every chance that this gifted all-rounder starts the tournament at the heart of the French midfield.
After the Euros he will go straight to the Paris Olympics where he will hope to help the host nation win gold.
Arda Guler, Turkey
Club: Real Madrid; Position: Attacking midfield/winger; Age: 19; Caps (goals): 6 (1)
Guler signed a six-year contract when he joined Real Madrid last summer, with the now European champions viewing the skilful Turkish attacking midfielder as a long-term prospect. With some early injury problems and competition for places red-hot at the Bernabeu, he has struggled for consistent playing time. That said, there have been positive signs and coach Carlo Ancelotti has spoken glowingly of his ability.
When he has played he has been a good source of goals with six coming in just 10 games, including a brace in a 4-4 draw with Villarreal.
Despite his lack of opportunities at his all-conquering club, Guler is already a key player for his country and will be central to their hopes this summer. The presence of Guler and another exciting youngster in the shape of Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz means Turkey should be an exciting watch.
Xavi Simons, Netherlands
Club: RB Leipzig (on loan from PSG); Position: Attacking midfield/winger; Age: 21; Caps (goals): 13 (0)
The Amsterdam-born Simons was a child football prodigy who joined Barcelona's La Masia academy aged seven. He eventually signed professional terms with Paris Saint-Germain and has since made his name in two loan spells away from the Parc des Princes.
The first came at PSV Eindhoven where he scored 22 times in 48 appearances, won the Dutch Cup and was named Dutch player of the year.
He then spent last season with RB Leipzig and was named in the Bundesliga team of the season. He'll expect to break into the first team with PSG next season, although Chelsea and Arsenal are long-term admirers of the tricky attacking midfielder.
Before that, though, he will hope to make a difference for his country. Simons, who has at times drawn criticism from national team boss Ronald Koeman, is expected to be used alongside Liverpool's Cody Gakpo behind focal point Wout Weghorst.
Johan Bakayoko, Belgium
Club: PSV Eindhoven; Position: Winger/forward; Age: 21; Caps (goals): 10 (1)
With Belgium having (mostly) moved on from their previous "golden generation" and now being led by Domenico Tedesco, this tournament represents something of a new dawn.
There are plenty of exciting young players in the squad, such as Charles De Ketelaere and Arthur Vermeeren, but it's out on the wings where they might do some serious damage. Manchester City's Jeremy Doku will start on the left, and PSV Eindhoven star Bakayoko on the right.
The muscular winger has been linked with numerous Premier League clubs in the past 12 months, while new Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany is rumoured to be eager to recruit his countryman. After the championship-winning season he has had at PSV, it's hardly a surprise.
Benjamin Sesko, Slovenia
Club: RB Leipzig; Position: Striker; Age: 21; Caps (goals): 28 (11)
With Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all fighting to sign him, it's fair to assume that Sesko has something about him – height, pace and an ever-improving goalscoring record for starters. Not to mention those Erling Haaland comparisons.
Having scored 18 times for Leipzig last season – in addition to the goals that fired Slovenia to a first major tournament in 20 years – and with an achievable release clause in his contract, it's a fair bet he will switch to English football this summer.
And, having landed in Group C alongside the Three Lions – as well as Denmark and Serbia – he will have an opportunity to show Premier League clubs and English fans precisely what he can do.
Giorgiy Sudakov, Ukraine
Club: Shakhtar Donetsk; Position: Midfield; Age: 21; Caps (goals): 12 (1)
A good Euro 2024 might convince one of the clubs monitoring Sudakov to firm up their interest.
The midfielder, twice Ukrainian young player of the year, has been linked with Liverpool, Tottenham and, of course, Chelsea.
Now with more than 100 senior appearances for his club and a regular starter for his country, Sudakov is a versatile and technical midfielder who is capable of carrying out various roles. He is most often used as a conventional central midfielder but has been pushed up into the No 10 position before. There have also been occasions when Sudakov has been used as a left winger for Shakhtar.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Glossary of a stock market revolution
Reddit
A discussion website
Redditor
The users of Reddit
Robinhood
A smartphone app for buying and selling shares
Short seller
Selling a stock today in the belief its price will fall in the future
Short squeeze
Traders forced to buy a stock they are shorting
Naked short
An illegal practice
Scores
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Details
Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
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Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Mobile phone packages comparison
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
RACE CARD AND SELECTIONS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
5,30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
6pm: The President’s Cup Listed (TB) Dh380,000 1,400m
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Group One (PA) Dh2,500,000 2,200m
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Listed (PA) Dh230,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
The National selections
5pm: RB Hot Spot
5.30pm: Dahess D’Arabie
6pm: Taamol
6.30pm: Rmmas
7pm: RB Seqondtonone
7.30pm: AF Mouthirah
Other key dates
-
Finals draw: December 2
-
Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
-
Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Tell-tale signs of burnout
- loss of confidence and appetite
- irritability and emotional outbursts
- sadness
- persistent physical ailments such as headaches, frequent infections and fatigue
- substance abuse, such as smoking or drinking more
- impaired judgement
- excessive and continuous worrying
- irregular sleep patterns
Tips to help overcome burnout
Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’
Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do
Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones
Find your form of relaxation and make time for it each day e.g. soothing music, reading or mindful meditation
Sleep and wake at the same time every day, even if your sleep pattern was disrupted. Without enough sleep condition such as stress, anxiety and depression can thrive.
EXPATS
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TICKETS
For tickets for the two-day Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) event, entitled Dubai Invasion 2019, on September 27 and 28 go to www.meraticket.com.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: Yas Xmnsor, Sean Kirrane (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
5.30pm: Falaj Hazza – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Arim W’Rsan, Dane O’Neill, Jaci Wickham
6pm: Al Basrah – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Kalifano De Ghazal, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Oud Al Touba – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Pharitz Oubai, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Sieh bin Amaar – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Oxord, Richard Mullen, Abdalla Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: AF Ramz, Sean Kirrane, Khalifa Al Neyadi
8pm: Al Saad – Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Sea Skimmer, Gabriele Malune, Kareem Ramadan
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Racecard:
2.30pm: Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoun Emirates Breeders Society Challenge; Conditions (PA); Dh40,000; 1,600m
3pm: Handicap; Dh80,000; 1,800m
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Mile Prep Rated Conditions; Dh110,000; 1,600m
4pm: Handicap; Dh95,000; 1,950m
4.30pm: Maiden; Dh65,000; 1,400m
5pm: Handicap; Dh85,000; 1,200m
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
(All games 4-3pm kick UAE time) Bayern Munich v Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund v Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg v Mainz , Eintracht Frankfurt v Freiburg, Union Berlin v RB Leipzig, Cologne v Schalke , Werder Bremen v Borussia Monchengladbach, Stuttgart v Arminia Bielefeld
