Who is the best player in UEFA Euro in the 21st century?

From the era of Spain's tiki-taka dynasty to Portugal's Ronaldo-led triumph and Spain's 2024 masterclass, this century's Euros have produced football royalty. Who is the 21st century's Euro icon?

Cristiano Ronaldo

The definitive 21st-century Euro player: burst onto the scene at Euro 2004 on home soil as a teenage prodigy, then led Portugal to the 2016 title, becoming the tournament's all-time leading scorer with 14 goals.

1/14

Andrés Iniesta

Named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2012 after orchestrating Spain's back-to-back title defence, a defining 21st-century Euro presence combining artistry and winning impact.

2/14

Xavi Hernández

Won Player of the Tournament at Euro 2008 with metronomic passing precision as Spain began their historic era of dominance, setting the tactical template for modern midfield football.

3/14

Gianluigi Donnarumma

Named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020, Italy's commanding goalkeeper was impenetrable throughout — his shootout heroics against England delivering the title with one of the great modern individual displays.

4/14

Antoine Griezmann

Finished as top scorer and Player of the Tournament at Euro 2016 with six goals, the most prolific single-tournament display by any player in the 21st century.

5/14

Zinedine Zidane

Won Player of the Tournament at Euro 2000 as France lifted the Championship on home soil with a Golden Goal final, the last classic Zidane Euro masterclass before his retirement.

6/14

Luka Modrić

Croatia's midfield genius has lit up multiple 21st-century Euros with elegant, precise play — repeatedly the standout individual whenever Croatia have gone deep into a tournament.

7/14

David Silva

The quiet architect of Spain's Euro 2008 and 2012 double — threading passes through the eye of a needle and scoring at crucial moments in both title-winning campaigns.

8/14

Dimitri Payet

Exploded onto the Euro stage with a stunning solo goal at Euro 2016 and consistently dazzled throughout, embodying the flair and excitement that made France's home tournament so captivating.

9/14

Lamine Yamal

Became Euro 2024's breakout story at just 17, scoring a stunning semi-final equaliser as Spain claimed the championship in one of the most thrilling modern editions.

10/14

Renato Sanches

Won Best Young Player at Euro 2016 at 18 years old, driving Portugal's midfield with extraordinary physical and technical maturity that nobody expected from a teenager.

11/14

Patrik Schick

Scored four goals at Euro 2020 including one of the tournament's greatest-ever goals — a breathtaking long-range lob from the halfway line that became an instant classic.

12/14

Gareth Bale

Wales's talisman dragged his nation to the Euro 2016 semi-finals with incredible individual performances, his free kick against Slovakia and display against Belgium the highlights of a stunning campaign.

13/14

Theodoros Zagorakis

Greece's inspirational captain at Euro 2004, winning Player of the Tournament as his unfancied nation achieved football's greatest-ever international upset to claim the European Championship.

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