Learn More About UEFA European Championship Awards

The UEFA European Championship isn’t just about top football talent; it also rewards standout players with prestigious awards. From the Golden Boot to the Player of the Tournament, UEFA celebrates excellence in football. These awards recognize players who make a big impact with goals, assists, and leadership. They add excitement for football fans worldwide, eagerly anticipating the champions and standout performers in each tournament.

Honors and awards given to standout players and teams in the UEFA European Championship tournaments

Player of the Tournament

Awarded to the best player in each edition of the UEFA European Championship since 1996

Golden Boot

Presented to the top goalscorer of each UEFA European Championship edition

Young Player of the Tournament

Given to the best player in the tournament who is at most 22 years old

Famous Footballers to Play in UEFA European Championships

The UEFA European Championship, also known as the Euros, has been a premier international football tournament since its inception in 1960. Over the years, many talented footballers have participated in the competition, leaving lasting impressions on the sport. Here are some of the most famous footballers to play in the UEFA European Championships:

Cristiano Ronaldo: Regarded by many as the greatest player in Euros history, Ronaldo has played in five editions (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020) and holds multiple records, including being the all-time top scorer with 14 goals.

Andres Iniesta: A key player in Spain’s dominant teams of the late 2000s and early 2010s, Iniesta won two Euros (2008 and 2012) and was named the best player of Euro 2012.

Zinedine Zidane: A legendary French midfielder, Zidane won the 2000 Euros and was named the best player of the tournament. He also played in the 1996 and 2004 editions.

Michel Platini: A French football icon, Platini won the 1984 Euros and was named the best player of the tournament. He also played in the 1980 and 1988 editions.

Xavi: A Spanish midfielder, Xavi played in three Euros (2004, 2008, and 2012) and was part of the dominant Spanish teams that won two championships.

Marco van Basten: A Dutch forward, Van Basten won the 1988 Euros and was named the best player of the tournament. He also played in the 1980 and 1992 editions.

Fernando Torres: A Spanish forward, Torres played in three Euros (2004, 2008, and 2012) and was part of the Spanish teams that won two championships.

Rainer Bonhof: A German midfielder, Bonhof played in two Euros (1972 and 1980) and was part of the German team that finished third in the 1972 tournament.

Gianluigi Buffon: An Italian goalkeeper, Buffon played in four Euros (2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012) and was part of the Italian team that finished third in the 2000 tournament.

Antoine Griezmann: A French forward, Griezmann played in three Euros (2012, 2016, and 2020) and was part of the French team that won the 2016 championship

Top Goal Scorers in UEFA European Championship History

Here are the most famous and prolific goal scorers in the history of the UEFA European Championship:

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 14 goals 

Ronaldo is the all-time top scorer in Euros history, having scored 14 goals across 5 tournament appearances (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020). He holds the records for most goals scored in the final tournament and most goals scored overall including qualifying.

Michel Platini (France) – 9 goals 

Platini holds the record for most goals scored in a single Euros tournament, netting 9 times in the 1984 edition. He is second on the all-time top scorers list.

Antoine Griezmann (France) – 7 goals 

Griezmann is tied for third on the all-time top scorers list, having scored 7 goals in the 2016 and 2020 Euros.

Alan Shearer (England) – 7 goals 

Shearer is also tied for third on the all-time top scorers list, having scored 7 goals across the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Euros.

Alvaro Morata (Spain) – 7 goals 

Morata has scored 7 goals in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Euros, tying him for third on the all-time top scorers list

In Nutshell

The UEFA European Championship not only honors the finest footballers through prestigious awards like the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament but also celebrates iconic players who have left an indelible mark on the competition. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking goal tally to Michel Platini’s unforgettable performances, each edition showcases the best of European football talent and history.

Players to watch in the UEFA European Championship 2024

Georges Mikautadze(Georgia)
Ivan Schranz(Slovakia)
Jamal Musiala(Germany)
Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Jude Bellingham (England)
Josko Gvardiol (Croatia)
Xavi Simons (Netherlands)