“Portugal winning the Euros is the equivalent of winning the World Cup,” Ronaldo told RPT3 after Portugal’s win over Croatia in the 2024 UEFA Nations League, via Portuguese outlet Record.

Unlike Mbappe and Messi, winning the World Cup remains a pending task in Ronaldo’s career. While the Frenchman lifted the trophy in his first participation in Russia 2018, the Argentine star ended his elusive quest at Qatar 2022.

However, Mbappe doesn’t look so thrilled about it, as he suggested earlier this year he considers the European Championship to be harder. And Ronaldo gave the Euros a lot of importance too, putting them on par with the World Cup.

“I’ve already won two trophies for Portugal that I really wanted. I’m not motivated by that,” Ronaldo said about winning the World Cup. “I’m motivated by living the moment and enjoying football, records come naturally. I don’t beat records, they’re the ones who chase me.”

What did Kylian Mbappe said about the World Cup and the Euros?

Before the UEFA Euro 2024 with France, Mbappe raised eyebrows by claiming the European Championship is more complicated than the World Cup, a tournament he won in 2018.

“The Euros are complicated. For me, more complicated than a World Cup,” Mbappe said in June. “Even if there is more pressure at the World Cup. All the teams know each other, we play against each other all the time. Tactically, it is a very similar soccer.”

These comments gave plenty to talk about, drawing reactions from all over the world. Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez immediately disagreed with Mbappe, and it didn’t take long for Messi to respond to his former PSG teammate either.

How Messi reacted to Mbappe’s comparison between Euros and World Cup

“The Euros very important, but he leaves out Argentina, 3x World Champion, Brazil, 5x World Champion, Uruguay, 2x World Champion. There are many world champions left out to say that the Euros are the most difficult, right?,” Messi told Argentine journalist Martin Arevalo in an interview with ESPN Argentina in June. “In the World Cup, the best teams are there, all the world champions are there. That’s why everyone wants to be world champion.”

Mbappe, however, may have a reason to claim this considering France haven’t won the Euros since 2000. And as for Ronaldo, it looks like he’s trying not to diminish his international achievements. In the meantime, Messi feels he’s completed soccer by winning the World Cup, widely regarded as the ultimate trophy in the sport.

Sergio Ramos is an icon of Spanish football. His career with the national team is full of achievements, in addition to two European Championships (2008 and 2012) and a World Cup (2010), writing his name in the history books of Spanish football.

Ramos continues to have a good level, despite being 38 years old. Fans expected this to be his last big chance to defend the national team’s jersey, but it won’t.

Sergio Ramos out of Euro 2024

Sergio Ramos, one of Spain’s most representative players in recent years, is not participating in Euro 2024. Despite his successful record with the national team, the former Real Madrid and PSG defender and recently Sevilla, is not part of the team in this tournament.

Sergio Ramos announced his retirement from the Spanish national team in February 2023. After 18 years since his first game, Sergio Ramos’ path in the Spanish national team came to an end. The defender communicated his decision on social networks after not entering the coach’s plans at the time.

Spain faces the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 against Germany without one of its references, but with the memory of his exploits and the example he left for future generations.

After a first half where Italy dominated possession of the ball but failed to convert their chances, Switzerland came out with energy in the second half looking for the goal that would give them the lead. And it didn’t take long for them to find it. In the 46th minute, Remo Freuler recovered a ball in the middle of the field and threw a precise through ball to the left, where Vargas waited stealthily.

The speedy Swiss player controlled the ball masterfully and, with a quick change of direction, broke away from his marker and faced the Italian goal. Before Donnarumma’s exit, Vargas did not flinch and with a powerful low left-footed shot sent the ball into the top corner of the goal, impossible for the Italian goalkeeper to reach.

Sergio Ramos is synonymous with Spanish football. His career with the national team is full of achievements: two European Championships (2008 and 2012) and a World Cup (2010), making him a legend of Iberian football.

Despite the fact that at 38 years of age he is not at his peak performance, Ramos continues to maintain a good level. Many fans expected this to be his last big chance to defend the national team’s jersey, but it won’t.

Sergio Ramos out of Euro 2024

Sergio Ramos, one of Spain’s most iconic players in recent years, is not participating in Euro 2024. Despite his successful record with the national team, the former Real Madrid and PSG defender and recently Sevilla, is not part of the team in this tournament.

Although Ramos will not be present on the field, his legacy in Spanish football will remain intact. His leadership and talent made him one of the most important players in the history of the national team.

Spain faces the round of 16 of Euro 2024 without one of its role models, but with the memory of his exploits and the example he left for future generations.

The Euro Cup, along with the CONMEBOL Copa America, is one of the toughest continental competitions in existence. Many even compare its difficulty to that of the World Cup itself, which is why soccer fans do not want to miss any details.

From host cities to match schedules, discover everything you need to know to follow the Euro Cup closely in the coming years. Stay informed about the dates and the locations of the next editions of this prestigious tournament.

When and where will the 2028 UEFA Euro take place?

The 2028 edition of the Euro Cup will be jointly hosted by the United Kingdom and Ireland. The joint candidacy was presented on February 7, 2022, with the federations of Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all participating in this collaborative effort.

The tournament is scheduled to take place between June and July 2028, promising an exciting summer of soccer across these nations. Thus, the Euro returns to British soil after England hosted the 1996 edition of UEFA’s top national team tournament.

When and where will the 2032 UEFA Euro take place?

Turkey was one of the countries that submitted their candidacy to host the 2028 edition of the Euro, but UEFA ultimately opted for Ireland and the United Kingdom. However, the Turks will finally have the chance to host the tournament.

That will be in the 2032 edition. Turkey will be the organizers of the tournament along with Italy. Like what will happen with Euro 2028, the most important UEFA nations tournament will take place between June and July.

Every four years, the top European nations converge in one of the most fiercely contested competitions worldwide. The UEFA Euro 2024 is set to kick off on June 14th, with several nations considered genuine contenders to lift the title.

Get ready for an entire month packed with thrilling matches between 24 European countries! Here, you’ll find all the details you need, including an easily accessible schedule, so you can follow each match closely and stay up-to-date with the action.

Euro 2024: Complete schedule in PDF, Excel, and printable downloads

Everything is set for the UEFA Euro 2024. Germany will be the host of this exciting tournament, with 24 nations competing against each other for the title of the 17th edition of this event.

Fortunately for fans, Excely created a complete schedule of the UEFA Euro 2024. You can download it to your mobile device, PC, or even print it out, ensuring you’re prepared for every match.

UEFA has also released its official PDF containing the complete schedule of Euro 2024, including all the venues where the games will be played and the capacity of each stadium. You can also print it out or save it to youw mobile device.

Who is considered the top contender to win the UEFA Euro 2024?

Numerous nations enter UEFA Euro 2024 in top form. However, out of the 24 competing countries, only one will emerge victorious. With several strong contenders, the race to lift the trophy on July 14th promises to be fiercely competitive.

According to OPTA, England leads as the favorite to win the tournament with a 19.9% chance, followed closely by France at 19.1%. Germany holds third place with 12.4%, followed by Spain at 9.6%, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal with 9.2%.

On June 1st, Kroos celebrated yet another UEFA Champions League title with Real Madrid, making it five UCL wins in the Spanish capital and six overall (he also won the 2013 title with Bayern Munich).

So why is Kroos retiring now, when he can still play at a high level? Well, in an interview with German outlet Kicker, he explained that’s exactly how he wants people to remember his last season as a pro.

“I simply want to be remembered as the 34-year-old Toni Kroos, who played his best season for Real Madrid in the end of his career. I did that,” said Kroos. “I see it as a compliment that many people think it’s too early.”

What’s next for Toni Kroos?

While he’s currently focused on helping Germany win the European Championships at home, Kroos already knows what life off the field has in store for him in the near future.

“I will spend my time with my family mostly and I’ll be working on my youth academy in Madrid as planned,” Kroos said. “The Icon League, which I founded with Elias Nerlich, will also start in September:”

Toni Kroos dreams big ahead of Euro 2024

While he bid farewell to Real Madrid in great fashion by lifting both the LaLiga and Champions League titles, Kroos now hopes to achieve something similar on the international stage.

“I have a very good feeling (about Germany’s chances of winning the Euros). And winning the first match could develop an euphoria that can take us far,” the veteran midfielder said.

Germany, who will host the tournament this year, will play Scotland in the Euro 2024 inaugural game on Friday, June 14. The Die Mannschaft, who haven’t won the trophy since 1996, will also face Hungary and Switzerland in Group A.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo won’t show up as he’s been given rest for the first two friendlies of the June window. The striker will not play against Finland nor Croatia as he gets to spend a mini-holiday with his family after an exhausting season in Saudi Arabia.

In a press conference, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez explained, “All players are entitled to a 7-day vacation. Ronaldo will arrive on the seventh day of camp, so he will miss the first two friendly matches vs Finland and Croatia.”

At 39, Ronaldo is preparing for what could be his last international tournament. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star helped Portugal lift the Euros in 2016… will he go the distance again this year?

Ronaldo not planning to retire anytime soon

While there’s speculation on whether Ronaldo will participate in the 2026 World Cup, the 5x Ballon d’Or winner has no intention to hang up his boots anytime soon.

“I feel proud to have this age and still compete at the highest level,” he said on the Whoop Podcast in May, via CBS Sports. “It’s great and it gives me motivation to carry on. If you look at my career for the last 20 years, my level is high. If you are top for 20 years, it’s unbelievable. I do that and I continue to do that. For me, it’s a big achievement.”

Ronaldo will be 41 in 2026, so his presence on the international stage by then remains uncertain. However, Roberto Martinez revealed the player aims to reach 250 caps for Portugal.

“He [Ronaldo] was very close to reaching 200 caps, something nobody has ever done before. I said [to Ronaldo] is 200 caps something that interests you or not? He said, ‘250 interests me’,” Martinez told Freddie Ljungberg in December 2023.

Now the Three Lions have been drawn into a group with Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia in Group C, hardly a push over group. Gareth Southgate’s men will not have it easy as England looks to finally get over the hump and bring a cup home.

The team will have the support of their wives and girlfriends, or better known as WAGS. Here are the details of the luxury castle the companions will be staying at in Germany.

Where will England WAGS be staying in Euros 2024

According to The Sun the WAGS have decided on a five-star Schlosshotel resort in Kronberg, where the cost is $2,200 per night, and/or the Schloss Auel Boutique Hotel in Lohmar.

The Sun source stated, “They’re keen to let their hair down after being restricted in Qatar but still want their own privacy. The ones they’ve picked out so far are deep within the countryside, surrounded by woodland and protected from prying eyes.”

The WAGS include Kieran Trippier’s wife Charlotte, Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan, Harry Maguire’s wife Fern, Kyle Walker’s wife Annie and Luke Shaw’s partner Anouska Santos.

Euro 2024 will take place from June 14th until July 14th, being held in Germany. The groups have not been drawn but England will be in the company of the host, Spain, France, Italy, and Croatia as some of the highlight teams.

Like it has become common in world soccer, new kits are laid out for major tournaments and now the new Nike kit is a kind of throwback for England.

England’s Euro 2024 kit?

Fans have been very happy with Nike’s kit on social media, admiring the crisp and clean nature of the jersey, looking very much like the kits used in 1986 and 1990 World Cups.

The kit also has red and blue lines along the sleeves and a cross on the collar. England has friendly matches with Brazil and Belgium during the next international break as they prepare for their first major tournament in the 2026 cycle.

Norway finished in third place in Group A behind Spain and Scotland, so they couldn’t secure one of the two tickets for the event to be held next year in Germany. Undoubtedly, the Scots were the biggest surprise of the qualifying phase.

A few weeks ago, Erling Haaland got second place in the Ballon d’Or voting, an award won by Lionel Messi for the eighth time in his career. Haaland is the top contender to secure that individual trophy in 2024, but being unable to play in the UEFA Euro with his national team will put him at a disadvantage compared to other names like Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.

Norway’s situation is really worrying, considering the last major tournament they played was the Euro in 2000. Also, no World Cup appearances since 1998. It’s been more than two decades without reaching the big stage.

Why Erling Haaland is out of the 2024 UEFA Euro?

The initial scenario for Norway to qualify for the 2024 UEFA Euro was to finish among the top two teams in Group A, but, as we have already mentioned, Spain and Scotland secured those direct tickets.

However, the last hope was through the playoffs based on their participation in the 2022-2023 UEFA Nations League. The major issue for Haaland is that in that competition, Norway couldn’t surpass Serbia in their group.

Therefore, in the qualifiers for the 2024 UEFA Euro, Erling Haaland and his teammates needed Israel to finish in second place in Group I ahead of Romania to secure a spot in the playoffs. That didn’t happen.

When will the 2024 UEFA Euro be played?

The UEFA Euro 2024 will take place from June 14th to July 14th with the participation of 24 teams. The designated venues for the matches will be Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, Cologne, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Leipzig.

Which teams have qualified for the UEFA Euro 2024?

The teams qualified for the UEFA Euro 2024 are: Germany, Belgium, France, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Turkey, Austria, England, Hungary, Slovakia, Albania, Denmark, Netherlands, Romania, and Switzerland.