Rio Ferdinand, the ex-defender for England and Manchester United, has pinpointed just three squads with the potential to clinch the Euro 2024 title.
The eagerly awaited European Championships are set to kick off next Friday, featuring the opening match between host nation Germany and Scotland at the Allianz Arena, home of Bayern Munich.
- Michael Olise’s private feelings on re-signing for Chelsea show his mindset
- Cristiano Ronaldo named only player he considers GOAT alongside Messi & himself
- Cesc Fabregas reveals the game he was told NOT to celebrate scoring in
A total of 24 European teams will compete to make it to the final on July 14, vying for the prestigious trophy that Italy last hoisted after their victory over England in a penalty shootout during the Euro 2020 finale.
Ferdinand, who proudly wore the England jersey 81 times, is rooting for the Three Lions to break their 58-year drought of major trophies, considering Gareth Southgate’s team as one of the top three contenders.
In recent major tournaments, England has been a formidable competitor, advancing to the advanced stages of the last two World Cups and enduring a heart-wrenching defeat by penalties in the Euro 2020 final.
During the previous World Cup, Southgate’s squad was ousted by France in the quarter-finals. Ferdinand regards the French team, managed by Didier Deschamps and the runner-up to Argentina in that final, as another strong contender for the European championship.
According to Ferdinand, the only other team with the caliber to emerge victorious at Euro 2024 is Portugal, the nation that claimed the European title back in 2016.
At the end of an interview with Portugal manager Roberto Martinez on the FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: ‘I want to wish you good luck for the tournament. I hope you do well and come second behind England, that would be great!
‘I think it is you [Portugal], England and France – it will be one of those three. I don’t see no-one else.’
Martinez then said: ‘I don’t think there are favourites in this tournament. I think if you look at the squads and the way the teams are growing, there are seven teams that on their day can win.’
A surprised Ferdinand said: ‘Seven? I don’t see anyone other than those three.’
To which Martinez – who took over the Portugal team in January 2023 – said: ‘Germany are well down in the rankings but they have only played friendlies for two years.
‘They are playing as hosts and they have that mentality… they are always competitive in tournament football.
‘Then you look at England, Spain, France, Belgium, Portugal… there are a lot of teams that can believe they will go far. Bit tournaments are won by very small details.’
On the threat of England, Martinez said: ‘We faced them twice in the 2018 World Cup and then in the Nations League and I really enjoyed it.
‘I think what Gareth Southgate has created is that club-level feeling. It’s a very modern group and enjoy playing for England and feel together. Tactically they can be very flexible, it’s a really difficult opponent.’
England start their Euros campaign against Serbia on June 16. The other teams in Group C are Denmark and Slovenia.
You can name your favourite team to win the Euros in the comment section below, we appreciate your feedbacks…
