RONALDO & POGBA DO NOT MAKE ITALY’S TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT AT EURO 2020

GK: GIGI DONNARUMMA (ITALY)

Gigi Donnarumma’s move to Paris Saint-Germain looks like one of the best deals in history. The 22-year-old was utterly immense as Italy won Euro 2020 in dramatic fashion, with their giant goalkeeper saving two penalties in the final. Arsenal teenager deserves the utmost sympathy for his miss because there is no more intimidating shot-stopper in the world right now.

RB: JOAKIM MAEHLE (DENMARK)

Atalanta has signed Joakim Maehle from Genk for just €10 million (£8.5m) – but he is now worth three times that amount. The versatile wing-back scored two goals and created another in Denmark’s run to the semi-finals of the Under- World Cup. Atalanta is currently second in Serie A, behind rivals Juventus on points after a win over Palermo.

CB: LEONARDO BONUCCI (ITALY)

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci was the man of the match in Italy’s Euro 2020 final win over England. The Italian was calm and composed as he flicked headers back to Gianluigi Donnarumma. His passing, as always, was sensational, while he was also on hand to score the crucial equalizer when Marco Verratti’s header came back off the post.

CB: GIORGIO CHIELLINI (ITALY)

Giorgio Chiellini’s performance in the first half of Italy’s – win over England was outstanding. The Juventus defender made a mockery of his 36-year international career with a spirited display. There was no worthier recipient of the Henri Delaunay trophy than the Azzurri’s inspirational captain, whose status as one of the game’s all-time greats is now complete.

LB: LEONARDO SPINAZZOLA (ITALY)

Leonardo Spinazzola has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. The 28-year-old was injured in Italy’s quarter-final win over Belgium at Euro. He was stretchered off in the closing stages of the match after suffering an Achilles injury. It is hoped that he can make a rapid return from the injury so he can shine again at next year’s World Cup.

CM: PIERRE-EMILE HOJBJERG (DENMARK)

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was the driving force behind Denmark’s sensational run to the semi-finals of Euro. The Tottenham midfielder created 11 chances in total, completed 10 dribbles, and won the ball back 51 times – more than any other player in the tournament. He also racked up three assists as well as creating 10 chances for his teammates.

CM: JORGINHO (ITALY)

Jorginho was the key man in Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph, dictating the play with his precision passing and incessant pressing. The former Napoli man ranked second for both successful passes (485) and possession won (48), while he set a new European Championship record for interceptions, with 25.

CM: PEDRI (SPAIN)

Barcelona midfielder Pedro Pedri has been compared to Andres Iniesta. The 18-year-old was Spain’s star player at Euro 2020 and could have led them to the final. He created 11 chances and completed more passes in the opposition half (317) than any other player. Coach Luis Enrique enthused after Pedri’s display against Italy in the semi-finals “It’s impossible to explain.”

RW: FEDERICO CHIESA (ITALY)

Juventus winger Federico Chiesa has emerged as one of the stars of Euro 2020. The Juventus man started the Azzurri’s opening two fixtures on the bench. He was left out of the starting line-up again, for the last-16 meeting with Austria. But he broke the deadlock with a wonderfully composed finish against the Austrians. He tormented Belgium’s backline in the quarter-finals and then tormented Spain in the semi-finals.

CF: PATRIK SCHICK (CZECH REPUBLIC)

Czech Republic striker Patrik Schick has been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marco van Basten, and Cristiano Ronaldo. The 25-year-old scored the opening goal of Euro 2020 with a stunning strike against Scotland. Schick then went on to earn the Czechs a shock win over Croatia in the quarter-finals. He also netted again in the last 16 as they beat the Netherlands to reach the last four.

LW: RAHEEM STERLING (ENGLAND)

Raheem Sterling has been named as the player of the tournament up until the final. The Manchester City winger scored in England’s 2-1 semi-final win over Denmark. He was also involved in both goals in the -1 win over Germany in the last 16. The 26-year-old had his critics before the Euros began, but silenced them with a string of performances.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

England’s defence produced the meanest performance of the tournament, with Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kyle Walker and Luke Shaw all excelling. Yann Sommer and Kasper Schmeichel were both brilliant for Switzerland and Denmark, while Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek excelled for the Czechs. Jordi Alba led by example for Spain but Simon Kjaer arguably redefined what it means to be a captain for Denmark. France duo Karim Benzema and Paul Pogba paid the price for their shock early exit from the tournament.