[divider]Centre-Back: Giorgio Chiellini – Italy[/divider]
This giant has been the heart and rock of the resilient Italian defence for more than 12 years. Even at the age of 31, Chiellini has been extremely reliable in keeping goals away from Gianluigi Buffon’s net in the competition. Italy only conceded 2 goals in the whole of Euro 2016.
[divider]Right Back: Joshua Kimmich – Germany[/divider]
This young and upcoming Bayern Munich defender showed no signs of nervousness in becoming the first choice right back for the Germans. With the big shoes of Philipp Lahm to fill, Joshua Kimmich was not just performing his defensive duties remarkably but was also reliable and even ‘entertaining’ to watch offensively.
[divider]Centre-Mid: Toni Kroos – Germany[/divider]
Completing the tournament with a total of 582 successful passes and an astonishing passing accuracy of 92%, Toni Kroos was undeniably the best midfielder in the Euros in my opinion.
The flair this Real Madrid star showcased with his playmaking efforts and even ‘switch-plays’, was not just vital in Germany’s attack but also pleasing to the eyes!
[divider]Centre-Mid: Andres Iniesta – Spain[/divider]
Although Spain had an early exit from the competition, Andres Iniesta’s mere ‘good’ performance was still enough to secure him into this list. That’s how good this player is!
His pinpointed grounded through balls and positional awareness further established why Iniesta has been one of the best if not, the best central midfielder in professional football for the past 6-7 years.
[divider]Centre-Mid: Aaron Ramsey – Wales[/divider]
The Welshman had a fantastic tournament for his country. Even with the likes of Gareth Bale in the team, Aaron Ramsey was in fact, the heart of everything in Wales’ dream Euro run. He continuously exhausted opponents with his tireless running and Wales even looked depleted against Portugal after Ramsey was forced to watch the game from the stands due to suspension.
Winning challenges and converting defense to attack in the blink of an eye, the Arsenal man was the main fulcrum in his country’s surprising success in Euro 2016.
Aaron Ramsey completed the tournament with an impressive stat of 4 assists and 1 goal for Wales.
[divider]Left Winger: Dmitri Payet – France[/divider]
Following a wonder season with West Ham, Dimitri Payet proved that he might have just laid a finger on the ‘World Class Player’ status after an even more stellar performance with France in the Euro.
His dribbling talent, quick change of pace and especially, eye for goal, was significant in France’s qualification pass the group stage (he scored separate 2 winners in the 89th and 90th minute). You can expect to see more magnificent and startling strikes from him in upcoming seasons!
P.S. Sorry, non-existent West Ham fans, I don’t see a player of this calibre staying in your club for too long. It’s a matter of time before the likes of Real Madrid or Bayern Munich gobble him up!
[divider]Right Winger: Gareth Bale – Wales[/divider]
Speed, power, energy! These are the words that flash in many minds when they think of this Welsh wizard. Has he lived up to the expectations in the competition? I say yes!
Gareth Bale’s confidence, and the manner in which he effortlessly beats and runs pass defenders were exhilarating.
If there was one reason Wales looked so lively in the Euro, it has to be this man. After all, let’s not forget his jaw dropping free kicks against Slovakia and England!
[divider]Striker: Antoine Griezmann – France[/divider]
Perfectly placed on the list. Left the best for the last and also the Golden Boot winner! Antoine Griezmann was just a class apart from the rest in this year’s Euro. Even big names like Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t even come close to touching this little French’s dominance in the tournament.
A brilliant player who operates just as well as a winger and as a ‘Number 10’. There was no stopping Griezmann this time out even with the presence of power houses such as Germany, whom he scored a brace against.
Like how the great King Eric Cantona described Griezmann, “The perfect mix of youth, skills and cojones!”