The UEFA Euro Cup is set to begin on June 14 in Germany. Many players have graced the European Championship stage since its inaugural season in 1960. However, it wasn’t until 1996 that UEFA established an award to properly recognize and honor the achievements of the tournament’s best players. Ahead of the tournament, let’s look at the Player of the Tournament in the UEFA Euro Cup.
Player of the tournament in UEFA Euro Cup
Year | Player | Nation |
1996 | Matthias Sammer | Germany |
2000 | Zinedine Zidane | France |
2004 | Theodoros Zagorakis | Greece |
2008 | Xavi | Spain |
2012 | Andres Iniesta | Spain |
2016 | Antoine Griezmann | France |
2020 | Gianluigi Donnarumma | Italy |
First Player of the tournament in UEFA Euro Cup
Matthias Sammer was a match winner for Germany in the 1996 European Championship, which was held in England. In the final, Sammer scored a golden goal to upset the Czech Republic and defeat the hosts on penalties to win their first major championship.
EURO Cup News
List of Euro Cup Player of the tournament
Zinedine Zidane had a crucial contribution to France’s victory in Euro 2000. Despite the likes of Trezeguet and Henry, he scored twice, including a golden goal penalty against Portugal and a free kick against Spain.
In 2004, Theodoros Zagorakis won the title for Greece. Spain were able to clinch the award in two consecutive years in 2008 and 2012.
In previous edition Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma won the Player of the tournament in UEFA Euro Cup.