The Saudi Pro League Players Who Shone at Euro 2024
As the dust settles on Euro 2024, we take a look back at the Saudi Pro League stars who took the tournament by storm. But which ones impressed, and which ones failed to deliver?
The Bad
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr / Portugal) – 485 minutes played
Ronaldo’s tournament was a disaster. He missed every single shot he took, and his struggles were evident on the pitch. The 39-year-old forward is used to being the main man, but at Euro 2024, he was just a shadow of his former self.
- Jack Hendry (Al Ettifaq / Scotland) – 261 minutes played
Scotland’s defense was abysmal, and Hendry was no exception. He struggled to keep up with the pace of the game and was at fault for several goals.
- Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al Hilal / Serbia) – 121 minutes played
SMS was one of the most hyped players going into the tournament, but he failed to deliver. He started well, but his form dropped off sharply, and he barely played a part in Serbia’s remaining games.
- Marcelo Brozovic (Al Nassr / Croatia) – 225 minutes played
Brozovic was a key player for Croatia, but he struggled to find his rhythm at Euro 2024. He was substituted in the second half of Croatia’s opener and barely played in the remaining games.
- Aleksandar Mitrovic (Al Hilal / Serbia) – 240 minutes played
Mitrovic’s performances were underwhelming, and he failed to score a single goal. He was withdrawn after an hour against England and struggled to make an impact.
- Solomon Kvirkvelia (Al Okhdood / Georgia) – 180 minutes played
Kvirkvelia was a bright spot for Georgia, but his influence was limited. He started two games and was substituted in both, eventually being replaced by Giorgi Gvelesiani.
The Indifferent
- Rúben Neves (Al Hilal / Portugal) – 125 minutes played
Neves didn’t start a single game for Portugal, making four substitute appearances worth a combined 125 minutes. He’ll likely be looking to make a bigger impact next time around.
- Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq / Netherlands) – 70 minutes played
Wijnaldum didn’t play a single minute in the Netherlands’ knockout games, and his influence was limited to three substitute appearances in the group stage.
The Good
- Andrei Burca (Al Okhdood / Romania) – 360 minutes played
Burca was a revelation for Romania, playing every minute of their four games. He was solid in defense and even scored a goal in the final group game.
- Nicolae Stanciu (Damac / Romania) – 353 minutes played
Stanciu was Romania’s hero, scoring the winner against Ukraine and playing a key role in their unexpected run to the round of 16.
- Merih Demiral (Al Ahli / Turkey) – 206 minutes played
Demiral’s performances were outstanding, and he even scored two goals in Turkey’s victory over Austria. His energy and drive were a key factor in Turkey’s success.
- N’Golo Kanté (Al Ittihad / France) – 513 minutes played
Kanté was a whirlwind in the early games, but his level dropped off as the tournament wore on. He was substituted around the hour mark in the semifinal against Spain.
- Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr / Spain) – 525 minutes played
Laporte was a rock at the back for Spain, playing every minute of their six games. He was dominant in defense and even provided some attacking flair.
Takeaways
Fourteen Saudi Pro League players took part in Euro 2024, and while some impressed, others failed to deliver. Many players started strongly but dropped off in form, while others maintained a consistent level throughout.
As we look ahead to the next major tournament, it’s clear that some players have work to do to justify their place in the team. But for now, we can take comfort in knowing that the Saudi Pro League has produced some exciting talent.
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