Six Interesting Rumors Around Euro 2024
Although there’s more than a year to go, football fans and sports journalists alike are already thinking about Euro 2024, especially as the qualifying matches for the tournament get underway towards the end of this month. The championship itself will get going on 15 June, in Munich, Germany, and the final will take place in the capital, Berlin. Naturally, as the host nation, Germany qualifies automatically. Now it’s a question of deciding the 23 other teams that will join them next year.
Meanwhile, Europe’s transfer market is heating up and some of the superstars that will be playing for their national teams next year are either moving to different clubs or could be considering it. Romelu Lukaku, for one, is to return to Chelsea from Inter Milan, Jude Bellingham could be parting ways with Borussia Dortmund and Juventus are entertaining the possibility of signing Marco Verratti, should he leave Paris St Germain. Perhaps you want to engage in some sports betting and wager whether they will sign him or not? In the meantime, below is a look at some of the rumors swirling around about Euro 2024.
Cristiano Ronaldo could play at Euro 2024
Recently, Portugal announced that Roberto Martinez, who resigned as coach of the Belgian national squad following their World Cup group stage exit, will be their new manager. Martinez replaces Fernando Santos, who left after Morocco shocked everyone by defeating Portugal in the World Cup quarter finals.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be 39 by the time Euro 2024 arrives. There has been much speculation about whether he would continue after the recent World Cup. He’s stated his desire to play for Portugal at Euro 2024. His hopes will have received a boost after Martinez mentioned to the media he would be contacting Ronaldo to discuss his future on the team.
Mbappe could be leaving Paris St Germain
Kylian Mbappe proved his class to the world by scoring a hat-trick in the World Cup final, with all three goals from the penalty spot. Impressive mental toughness after missing a decisive penalty that saw France leave Euro 2020. Now there are rumors he may be leaving Paris St Germain, possibly to go to Real Madrid, after a fan had shouted at him to return to Madrid. Mbappe sparked the rumor by responding with the ‘thumbs up’ gesture.
Paul Pogba to miss France’s opening qualifiers
Injury-plagued Paul Pogba has been ruled out of the start of France’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, courtesy of a muscle tear. An adductor injury will see him sitting on the sidelines for at least three weeks, according to reports. France face the Netherlands on 24 March before visiting Dublin to battle the Republic of Ireland three days later.
Southgate was going to leave before Euro 2024
Recently, the FA announced that England manager Gareth Southgate would be staying on to lead the Three Lions at Euro 2024. The 52-year-old has been assessing his future and has decided to keep on managing the team.
Before England went out to France in the quarter finals of the World Cup, there had been reports Southgate would step down after the tournament. England’s UEFA Nations League campaign had been disastrous, and some believed the manager would leave the job because of all the negativity around the campaign.
Some England players could be getting phased out
A quick look on some football blogs and you’ll see some fans are thinking it’s time to phase some players out. Harry Maguire, despite have performed dutifully for the squad, is one of the big names some think should be making way for newer talent. They hold him responsible for some of the goals England conceded at the World Cup and think he’s generally slightly unreliable.
Maybe controversially, some feel Raheem Stirling should gradually step aside. Stirling has contributed massively to the squad and helped the team to develop and establish vibrancy in their attack. In the eyes of these people, it’s time to let Bukayo Saka start on the team regularly and have Stirling on the bench.
Potential call up for Harvey Elliot
Harvey Elliott made his debut as a teenager for Fulham and, in doing so, become the Premiership’s youngest ever player. Since moving to Liverpool in 2019, he’s continued developing under Jurgen Klopp. He made superb progress on loan to Blackburn Rovers in the 2020/21 season and later broke into the Liverpool side. Some are expecting him to receive an England call-up for Euro 2024.
Euro 2024 is still a long way off. Anything could happen before then. There are sure to be further developments and likewise plenty of rumors as the tournament approaches closer and closer. It will be interesting to see which ones eventually turned out to be more than just rumors.
