Watch out for them to spell magic
June 10, 2016
Euro 2016 Star parade
SUPERSTARS
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal
A three time world player of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo again rose to the occasion to fire Portugal to Euro 2016. The Real Madrid striker scored five of his country's 11 goals in qualifying, but an international title remains a glaring absence from his exhaustive list of honours. He became the world's most expensive footballer when Real Madrid splashed out 94 million euros for him in 2009, but Ronaldo has more than delivered a return on the investment after leading the Spaniards to the 2012 La Liga title and two Champions League victories in the past three seasons. However, an agonising defeat to Greece in the Euro 2004 final on home soil is the closest Ronaldo has come to international success.
Gareth Bale
Wales
W ith seven goals and two assists in qualifying, Bale (pictured above) did more than any other player to end Wales' 58-year wait to qualify for a major tournament. Lightning quick, superb in the air and with a jackhammer left foot, the Real Madrid player operates in a free role for Wales and his devastating pace on the counter-attack will be a source of concern for every defence he encounters.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Sweden
T he Swedish striker is steeling himself for a final farewell to France after four glorious years at Paris Saint-Germain. Having landed league titles with Ajax, Inter Milan, Barcelona and AC Milan, Ibrahimovic sent records tumbling during a trophy-laden spell at the Parc des Princes as PSG established themselves as the dominant force in French football. Ibrahimovic reinforced his reputation as one of the greatest strikers of his generation with 11 goals in qualifying.
NEWCOMERS
Marcus Rashford
England
on February 25 this year, 18-year-old Marcus Rashford awoke a virtual unknown. By the time he went to bed he was a sensation, having scored twice on his Manchester United debut in a 5-1 Europa League win over FC Midtjylland. More goals followed -- a brace against Arsenal on his Premier League debut, a classy derby winner at Manchester City, a stunning effort at West Ham United in the FA Cup -- and he ended the campaign with eight goals in 18 appearances, as well as an FA Cup winners' medal around his neck. After scoring within three minutes on his England debut against Australia, he was handed a surprise place in Roy Hodgson's Euro 2016 squad.
Anthony Martial
France
D erided as an expensive panic buy when Manchester United forked out an initial £36 million ($52.6 million, 47 million euros), Anthony Martial silenced critics with an impressive debut season at Old Trafford. The 20-year-old finished with 17 goals and emerged as one of the few bright spots as United missed out on Champions League football. The goals have yet to flow at international level, but France are waiting for the floodgates to open once Martial gets off the mark.
Renato Sanches
Portugal
Born and raised in Lisbon, the 18-year-old Renato Sanches made his first-team debut with Benfica in October, then earned his first international cap in March before Bayern Munich shelled out an initial 35 million euros -- a fee that could rise to 80 million euros -- to tie down one of Europe's most promising youngsters. After drawing rave reviews from Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone for his commanding displays in the heart of midfield, Portugal will hope Sanches can provide fresh impetus to a side heavily reliant on Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal
A three time world player of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo again rose to the occasion to fire Portugal to Euro 2016. The Real Madrid striker scored five of his country's 11 goals in qualifying, but an international title remains a glaring absence from his exhaustive list of honours. He became the world's most expensive footballer when Real Madrid splashed out 94 million euros for him in 2009, but Ronaldo has more than delivered a return on the investment after leading the Spaniards to the 2012 La Liga title and two Champions League victories in the past three seasons. However, an agonising defeat to Greece in the Euro 2004 final on home soil is the closest Ronaldo has come to international success.
Gareth Bale
Wales
W ith seven goals and two assists in qualifying, Bale (pictured above) did more than any other player to end Wales' 58-year wait to qualify for a major tournament. Lightning quick, superb in the air and with a jackhammer left foot, the Real Madrid player operates in a free role for Wales and his devastating pace on the counter-attack will be a source of concern for every defence he encounters.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Sweden
T he Swedish striker is steeling himself for a final farewell to France after four glorious years at Paris Saint-Germain. Having landed league titles with Ajax, Inter Milan, Barcelona and AC Milan, Ibrahimovic sent records tumbling during a trophy-laden spell at the Parc des Princes as PSG established themselves as the dominant force in French football. Ibrahimovic reinforced his reputation as one of the greatest strikers of his generation with 11 goals in qualifying.
NEWCOMERS
Marcus Rashford
England
on February 25 this year, 18-year-old Marcus Rashford awoke a virtual unknown. By the time he went to bed he was a sensation, having scored twice on his Manchester United debut in a 5-1 Europa League win over FC Midtjylland. More goals followed -- a brace against Arsenal on his Premier League debut, a classy derby winner at Manchester City, a stunning effort at West Ham United in the FA Cup -- and he ended the campaign with eight goals in 18 appearances, as well as an FA Cup winners' medal around his neck. After scoring within three minutes on his England debut against Australia, he was handed a surprise place in Roy Hodgson's Euro 2016 squad.
Anthony Martial
France
D erided as an expensive panic buy when Manchester United forked out an initial £36 million ($52.6 million, 47 million euros), Anthony Martial silenced critics with an impressive debut season at Old Trafford. The 20-year-old finished with 17 goals and emerged as one of the few bright spots as United missed out on Champions League football. The goals have yet to flow at international level, but France are waiting for the floodgates to open once Martial gets off the mark.
Renato Sanches
Portugal
Born and raised in Lisbon, the 18-year-old Renato Sanches made his first-team debut with Benfica in October, then earned his first international cap in March before Bayern Munich shelled out an initial 35 million euros -- a fee that could rise to 80 million euros -- to tie down one of Europe's most promising youngsters. After drawing rave reviews from Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone for his commanding displays in the heart of midfield, Portugal will hope Sanches can provide fresh impetus to a side heavily reliant on Ronaldo.
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