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Arun - July 9, 2024
Euro 2024 was supposed to be the opportunity for some of Europe’s best strikers to sign off in glory.
We already knew it would be the final championship for Olivier Giroud of France. We suspected it would be the last for Cristiano Ronaldo, and on the wrong side of 30, there is a good chance it could be the last time Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku lead the lines for their respective nations in a European Championship.
Led by Harry Kane, England started Euro 2024 as the favourites to win outright, and Kylian Mbappe and Kane were the favourites to win the Golden Boot. After a disappointing group stage for England, they are 11/4 in the latest EURO 2024 odds. While in the EUROs Golden Boot winner odds, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane are behind Cody Gakpo. The Netherlands striker is the 15/8 favourite.
The biggest flop in front of goal by far at Euro 2024 has to be Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese legend didn’t find the net once as his nation failed to progress beyond the quarter-final. Ronaldo will go down as an all-time legend in Portugal. But have his performances at Euro 2024 slightly tarnished his legendary status?
Against Slovenia, Ronaldo was wasteful. Against France, he was non-existent. His involvement at times resembled that of a boxer who goes on for one fight too many.
Perhaps his goalscoring exploits in the less competitive Saudi league have masked his shortcomings at the elite level.
It was always going to be the striker’s own decision when he called time. But after the Euros, even that decision might not end up being his should he not call time on himself.
The giant Belgian striker is unstoppable on his day. But his days at international level are now becoming fewer and fewer.
He was poor at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His wastefulness against Croatia in the Red Devils’ final Group F match saw them finish third in the group and out of the competition.
At Euro 2024, the on-loan Chelsea striker was just as bad. Belgium only managed two goals in four matches at Euro 2024. Neither was scored by Lukaku.
At times some of his teammates looked exasperated with him, Kevin de Bruyne in particular, in the 0-0 draw with Ukraine.
Belgium did sneak through to the Euros knockout stages on goal difference. But their lack of quality in front of goal was a major factor, and eventually they were found out against France in the Round of 16.
Can Lukaku live to fight another day for his nation? It’s a fair question. But if, as rumoured, he does move to Saudi Arabia this summer, the decision to leave him out will be an easy one.
Olivier Giroud has been the subject of some negative headlines coming out of the French squad. The usually trusted lieutenant of Didier Deschamps has barely featured for France in the competition.
Another to have underachieved is Kylian Mbappe. In fairness, the former PSG striker has suffered a broken nose at the competition. But as things stand, he is far from covering himself in glory at these championships.
