# Opdracht 2: Let's meet the youngest stars of Euro 2024!

Euro 2024 is a chance for the biggest stars in the world to show off their skills - but there's always a young player who makes their on the big stage.

As well as the usual superstar names, there are plenty of talented youngsters hoping for the chance to showcase their abilities on the pitch. But who are the players coming through the ranks who could shine this summer? Let's take a look at some of the young stars to look out for in Germany.

## Cole Palmer - England

Age: 22

Position: Midfielder

Club: Chelsea

Cole Palmer has had an amazing debut season with Chelsea since his move from Manchester City last September.

He scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists in 33 league games - and his incredible form also earned him the "Premier League Young Player of the Season Award."

He also netted his first goal for the Three Lions on his first international start against Bosnia-Herzegovina in England's Euro 2024 warm-up friendly earlier this month.

## Lamine Yamal - Spain

Age: 16

Position: Forward

Club: Barcelona

Lamine Yamal is widely seen as one of the rising young talents in world football, breaking all sorts of records at club and national level.

He made his Barcelona debut at the age of 15 and became the youngest goalscorer in La Liga history, aged just 16 years and 87 days.

He's also set a new record as youngest player and scorer for Spain - and, if they make it all the way at the Euros, then Lamine will turn 17 the day before the final.

## Arda Güler - Turkey

Age: 19

Position: Midfielder

Club: Real Madrid

Another young star who has broken records to become the youngest goalscorer for their country is Arda Guler - whose skills have earned him the nickname of the 'Turkish Messi'.

He signed for Real Madrid last year after apparently having beaten off interest from clubs including Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain.

Guler is versatile enough to play in a number of attacking roles and his close control and dribbling skills could well make him one to watch this summer.

## Xavi Simons - Netherlands

Age: 21

Position: Midfielder

Club: RB Leipzig (on loan from Paris Saint-Germain)

Xavi may only be 21 years old but the rising Dutch star has already played for the likes of PSG and Barcelona - where he spent nine years at the famous La Masia youth academy.

During his time there he became one of the Spanish club's most highly-rated young players and with his skills and versatility, playing as an attacking midfielder and left and right-winger, it's easy to see why.

Xavi has represented and scored for the Netherlands at youth level, but has yet to find the back of the net with the senior side. Could Euro 2024 be the turning point in his international career?

## Florian Wirtz - Germany

Age: 21

Position: Midfield

Club: Bayer Leverkusen

In May, Bayer Leverkusen became the first German team to go an entire Bundesliga season unbeaten - and one of the key players in their squad is Florian Wirtz.

He scored 18 goals and 19 assists in 47 games this season to help his side to the top, and according to rumours, Real Madrid are reportedly keeping a close eye on the youngster.

A great attacking midfielder who can also play as a right-winger, it seems like footballing talent runs in Florian's large family - he has nine siblings and his elder sister Juliane is also a professional player.

## Warren Zaïre-Emery - France

Age: 18

Position: Midfielder

Club: Paris Saint-Germain

Another history maker is Warren Zaire-Emery, who became France's youngest player in over a century to play and score for the national team.

In August 2022, he made his professional debut for PSG, becoming the club's youngest ever player, and he recently extended his contract with the club which will see him there for the next five years.

Strong and quick on the ball, Warren was born in Paris and raised only a few miles away from fellow countryman Kylian Mbappe. It seems that 18-year-old has a few things in common with the superstar striker.

## Jeremy Doku - Belgium

Age: 22

Position: Midfielder

Club: Manchester City

It's not easy making your mark when you sign for a huge club like Manchester City, but Jeremy Doku has certainly been turning heads since he completed his £55.4m move to England last year.

His speed, power and technical ability helped the Blues to another Premier League victory this season.

And he's no stranger to his national side - playing for Belgium at every youth level since the under-15s and joining the senior squad in 2020.