The UEFA European Football Championship, commonly known as the EURO, is back, igniting excitement for a month-long football spectacle. The tournament invites Europe’s finest national teams to compete for the title of the best team on the continent. This year, the competition is taking place across Germany from June 14 to July 14.
The number of players with North African and Middle Eastern roots participating in European teams has been increasing. This is largely due to their parents’ immigration and European countries’ efforts to integrate talented young immigrant football stars into their national teams.
These players bring fresh talent to the competition, enriching the football experience for everyone. Here are some key players with North African or Middle Eastern roots to watch at Euro 2024:
Kylian Mbappé (Algeria)
Kylian Mbappé, a name synonymous with modern football excellence, has part-Algerian roots. A two-time FIFA World Cup finalist and a seven-time French league champion, Mbappé recently signed with Real Madrid, the latest Champions League winners.
Known for his incredible speed, sharp finishing, and game-changing plays, Mbappé is expected to lead France in their quest for their first European Championship victory in over two decades.
Lamine Yamal (Morroco)
Representing Spain, Lamine Yamal is the youngest player ever to compete in a European Championship game. Born to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, the 16-year-old prodigy has already shown immense promise.
His participation in the tournament could mark the beginning of a legendary career. Interestingly, Yamal revealed that he had to bring some of his school homework to the competition, as he is still in high school.
Stephan El Shaarawy (Egypt)
Over a decade since his debut for Italy in 2012, Stephan El Shaarawy, who is of part-Egyptian descent, is a key player for Italy. El Shaarawy, who could have represented Egypt, chose to play for Italy, the country of his birth.
Now 31, he plays for Roma and helped the club win the inaugural Europa Conference League in 2022. Italy is trying to repeat its success in winning the competition three years ago, and El Shaarawy’s experience could be invaluable.
Zeki Amdouni (Tunisia)
Born to a Turkish father and a Tunisian mother, Zeki Amdouni chose to represent his birth country, Switzerland. With seven goals in fifteen appearances for the national team, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder spent the last season with Burnley in the English Premier League.
Amdouni’s performance could defy expectations and make him one of the revelations of Euro 2024.
As Euro 2024 unfolds, these players of Arab or African descent will undoubtedly capture the attention of football enthusiasts, adding an extra layer of excitement for Arab fans to an already thrilling competition.
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