There has been no shortage of drama or excitement on show on or off the pitch so far this summer in France as some of the best players on the continent battle it out for a chance at ultimate glory in the European championship.
Thankfully, most of the big name players have stood out and turned in some quality performances (no, not you Cristiano Ronaldo) and we’ve been treated to some phenomenal goals already, which bodes well for the remainder of the contest. It hasn’t been so positive in terms of the behaviour of certain fans as well as question marks over security but certain performers have done their utmost to keep us concentrated on the actual football.
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With the group stage of Euro 2016 at an end, it’s time to single out a handful of players for praise as we enter the last 16 of the competition.
#1 Andres Iniesta (Spain)
So what if he has never won a Ballon d’Or. Big deal. The way he manipulates a football match, it’s as if time itself stands still to admire him – who needs awards when you’re that good?
Anyone who knows their football is fully aware of just how influential a player the man nicknamed El Ilusionista (the Illusionist) is in the beautiful game, even more, how lasting his impact on the sport will be when he does eventually call a halt to his amazing career. What we have seen at this edition of the Euros has only served to reinforce that further.
Although Andres Iniesta is deserving of every award under the sun, he doesn’t rely on the accolades to embellish his charms. He said just as much in an interview with TV station Cuatro recently:
“It's not a thorn in my side. Nor do I think it is an injustice. Both Leo [Messi] and Cristiano [Ronaldo] have been deserving of the award. Everyone has their own opinion. But being surrounded by great players and to be competing with them is significant."
He made Turkey look as if they were watching somebody play a totally different sport as he produced touch after flick after incisive pass to cause their heads to spin. It was majestic to watch and although it was simply Iniesta being Iniesta, half the magic of his delectably exquisite manoeuvres of the ball was that he was still able to mesmerise us all even though we knew he would deliver.
His brilliance has been expected, but it’s also captivated us like never before. Much like one savours the last few drops of a well preserved vintage wine, we should all drink up every last second of the world-beater’s divinity because although he looks like he can control time, he won’t be around forever.
#2 Dimitri Payet (France)
Plenty of other footballers have gone from zero to hero in the history of the game, and there have been some really impressive cases in recent memory, but there’s little doubt that Dimitri Payet is the best example on show at the Euros this summer.
He has been scoring phenomenal goals for fun for the France national team. It’s hard to know which of his two spectacular goals so far have been the better one – his strike against Romania in the tournament opener or his lovely curled effort from inside the box to steal a win against a stubborn Albania side? Opinion is divided on that front, but what’s a lot clearer is just how world class the West Ham United midfielder has been.
It hasn’t simply been his goals, either, because his overall play has continued to catch the eye in the middle of the park as close control, movement and tremendous energy has complemented that of Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and others. Now, France are one of the favourites for the tournament and if Payet can keep churning out net-busting goals, it’s easy to see why they will push for the semi-finals.
It’s going to be difficult for the Hammers to keep hold of the 29-year-old maestro the way he has been playing and with rumours continuing to dominate the back pages about a move to Chelsea, Real Madrid or elsewhere (via Fox Sports) it looks increasingly likely that he will not play at the Olympic Stadium for the 2016/17 campaign. West Ham fans won’t be happy seeing him leave, but if it means more goals on the big stage like the ones he has already scored in France, the rest of us will be rubbing our hands in glee.
#3 Toni Kroos (Germany)
Arguably Germany’s best player so far, Toni Kroos has been the most accomplished passer of a ball from any of the 24 teams involved.
Against Northern Ireland in their 1-0 win, Kroos completed 121 passes which was more than the entire amount recorded by Michael O’ Neill’s team throughout those 90 minutes. Quite an impressive feat.
Of course, the number of passes means little unless you’re creating chances aplenty with it for your team-mates, and that is exactly what the Real Madrid playmaker has been doing. Dictating the tempo and moving the ball with intelligence and fluidity, he has given the Germans a real inventiveness to their midfield, as well as providing the right sort of balance necessary for the big stage.
The 26-year-old sits deeper than the arguably more incisive Mesut Ozil, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be cut-throat when he wants to and when he gets into the mood he can really hurt teams. Watching him spray the ball about with authority has been a genuine joy to behold. He has been key to their success so far, and as it’s expected Joachim Loew’s charges will reach the final, they will need Kroos control to emerge with the Henri Delaunay trophy.
#4 Wes Hoolahan (Republic of Ireland)
Ireland have amassed a tidy little collection of fond memories over the years that showcase their ability to get going when the obstacles start coming thick and fast, and while they have never been the best team in Europe (or indeed the world) by any stretch of the imagination, the Green Army have nonetheless produced some tremendous examples of how to punch above your weight.
Their inspiring performances at the 2002 World Cup, their surge to the quarter finals of the 1990 edition of the biggest competition in international football – and now their qualification to the last 16 of Euro 2016, thanks in no small part to their tricky playmaker Wes Hoolahan, have all proven their worth.
The Norwich City midfielder smashed a glorious right-footed effort past Sweden to earn his country a point in their opener, and although there was little for any Irish fan to cheer about as they lost 3-0 against Belgium, it was the player dubbed “Wessi” by his admirers who conjured the magic to assist Robbie Brady with a wonderfully flighted cross for Ireland’s shock 1-0 win over Italy as the group stage came to a close.
For years, Hoolahan was deemed too small by many clubs and languished in League of Ireland football and with British minnows before eventually getting a run of regular minutes with the Canaries as his late 20s approached – to see him shining now on one of the biggest stages around has been one of the most romantic happenings of this competition and it has given veterans all across the continent hope that it’s never too late to seize your chances. He’s genuinely been one of the most technically gifted stars to emerge from the Emerald Isle.
If your heart isn't melting just a little bit, then shame on you.
#5 Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)
Undoubtedly the best defender to grace the Euros this summer, Leonardo Bonucci has really impressed with his near-perfect defending at the heart of Italy's three-man rearguard.
In particular, against Belgium and Sweden, the 29-year-old centre back was a pillar of coolness as he surveyed the landscape sitting in front of him, often repelling the dangers which came his way. Bonucci is no stranger to performing at the highest levels of the game as he plies his trade with Juventus in the Serie A but he has still really impressed with the manner of consistency.
A lesser player could have entered into the competition with fatigue and faded away, but not the Bianconeri centre-half. He has maintained focus and kept his high standards within reach.
It’s easy to imagine that a full-strength Azzurris will push anyone close, especially with such a great platform at the back, led by Bonucci. Indeed, he isn’t just a one-dimensional player in his position, and it has been his versatility and proactive nature which has allowed him to stand head and shoulders above every other back on show.
Afer all, it was his delicious, inch-perfect pass from deep which set Emanuele Giaccherini on his way to netting their first-half goal against Belgium in their first match of the current campaign. The fact he doesn’t just cut out passes and clear balls away to safety means that he is perfect for the counter-attacking system Italy like to play; his ability to pick a pass means the Italians can transform defence to attack in a couple of swift decisions. Brilliant.
