A summer of international football is set to commence on Friday with the opening of UEFA Euro 2024, in which the best international teams in Europe will battle it out to claim bragging rights for the next four years.

Hosts Germany kick things off at the Allianz Arena in Munich against Scotland, heralding the start of four weeks of thrilling tussles between the continent's heavyweights.

It also gives the opportunity for players to strut their stuff on one of the sport's biggest stages, and Euro 2024 has no shortage of talent. From emerging superstars to established veterans, some of the finest players from the biggest clubs will be in action.

But who are the most notable names to watch out for? We've assembled and ranked 10 of the best, although the order and list of names will no doubt be up for debate.

Think you can do better? Leave your picks in the comments.

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10. Florian Wirtz

Florian Wirtz could be the key to Germany's hopes at Euro 2024.

The 21-year-old just completed a stunning season for surprise Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, in which he scored 11 and assisted 12 in 32 games, picking up the Player of the Season award in the process.

He's only played 18 games for the Germany senior team and hasn't completed 90 minutes in any of those showings. But if manager Julian Nagelsmann can figure out how to make the most of his pace, energy and eye for a pass, Wirtz can be a difference-maker—just like he was for his club side last season.

9. Phil Foden

Phil Foden has just finished a remarkable season for Manchester City. He scored 19 goals and provided eight assists in a domestic campaign that ended with the Premier League title, as well as the personal honour of being named the league's Player of the Season.

The 24-year-old's versatility will allow England boss Gareth Southgate to deploy him in a number of positions, all of which he can inflict serious damage from.

Behind the striker is perhaps where he can be best utilised, though, threading delicately weighted passes through to the No. 9 and using his stunning first touch and silky footwork to bamboozle defenders.

8. William Saliba

With Virgil van Dijk starting to show signs of mortality, it's William Saliba's time to move into the spot as European football's premier defensive colossus.

The Frenchman helped Arsenal to a Premier League-leading 18 clean sheets in the 2023-24 campaign—five more than closest challengers Everton in that category—and played in all 38 games. He also grabbed two goals and an assist as the Gunners narrowly missed out on the title.

The center-back is part of a France squad that is stacked in the position, but it's Saliba who stands above the rest.

7. Bernardo Silva

Perhaps the most annoying player in the Premier League because of his never-say-die attitude and regular needling of opponents, Bernardo Silva enters the Euros following a Premier League-winning season in which he provided the most goal contributions of his six-year Manchester City career: six goals and nine assists in league play.

The 29-year-old wasn't in the Portugal squad when they won Euro 2016, but he's one of the star players of the 2024 iteration that seems to be one of the favorites to win it all.

His mosquito-like tendencies will give defenders headaches and tie them in knots, and he's also capable of stunning strikes that could help break deadlocks in front of stout defenses.

6. Rodri

While not the flashiest player at the tournament by any stretch, Rodri's importance to Spain isn't defined by goals and assists—although he is capable of popping up with clutch finishes should the situation require it.

Indeed, the 27-year-old's role at the heart of midfield, where he directs his teammates, provides vital interceptions, keeps the back line protected from counter-attacks and allows his attacking players to thrive, will be vital to La Furia Roja's hopes of picking up a fourth European title.

5. Kevin De Bruyne

He absolutely has to stay fit, but there is simply no denying Kevin De Bruyne's enduring class.

The 32-year-old only played in 18 games of Manchester City's fourth consecutive Premier League title success, but he still managed four goals and 10 assists in that time. That latter statistic was enough to put him in third place in the league's assist charts, only one behind Cole Palmer in second and three behind Ollie Watkins in first—who played 34 and 37 games each, respectively.

Belgium's squad is not as terrifying as in past years, and lackluster performances in the buildup to the Euros have not provided much hope of a deep run.

But with this possibly being the last chance De Bruyne will get in the competition—at least as one of the first names on the teamsheet—expect him to demonstrate why he's one of the best midfielders to lace up a pair of boots.

As captain of the squad, he'll need to be Belgium's inspiration.

4. Bruno Fernandes

With Cristiano Ronaldo's time as Portugal's talisman coming to an end—despite his unceasing ability to score in bunches—the Seleção will be looking to Bruno Fernandes to pull the strings.

While Ronaldo's role is mainly limited to goals these days, Fernandes provides energy, vision and a deadly streak of his own that are essential to the functioning of the team.

Since the start of 2023, Fernandes has scored nine goals and nine assists in 14 international games. Meanwhile, for a Manchester United side lacking all over the pitch in the 2023-24 campaign, he still came up with 10 goals and eight assists.

Portugal are perhaps the favorites to win Euro 2024, and it's Fernandes, rather than Ronaldo, who will be key to those ambitions.

3. Jude Bellingham

Sometimes you need to take a step back and remember that Jude Bellingham is only 20 years old.

The Real Madrid midfielder looks to have the world at his feet, displaying not only an ability on the pitch that is well beyond his years but also a demeanor off of it that can put even seasoned professionals to shame.

In his first season at the Santiago Bernabéu, Bellingham has won La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, while scoring 23 and assisting 11 across both of those competitions.

He quickly became an essential part of the Madrid engine room, and his licence to roam forward helped to fill in the gap left by the exit of Karim Benzema.

In either a two- or three-man England midfield, Bellingham will offer composure, guile and leadership, as well as a ceaseless motor and deadly finishing.

With the Three Lions getting so close but yet so far in recent major international tournaments, Bellingham might just be the missing ingredient.

2. Harry Kane

Harry Kane will also be a big beneficiary of Bellingham's presence, but the Bayern Munich star has proved he can thrive in almost any situation while leading the line.

England's all-time top scorer did everything he could to earn his first major club title in the 2023-24 season, but even 36 goals in 32 games wasn't enough to end that disappointing silverware drought.

However, in his first season with a new team and in a new league, Kane showed exactly what he's capable of with little time needed to settle in.

In an England setup that has been geared to provide him with opportunities for the last eight years, he'll be going for the tournament's Golden Boot and aiming to end his country's own barren years in terms of trophies.

While England might do just fine without Kane—the 30-year-old has an injury history that might send a shiver down the spines of fans—they can't expect to go all the way without his strength, hold-up and link play, and clinical streak.

A lineup featuring Foden, Bellingham and Kane offers England their best chance in years.

1. Kylian Mbappé

Was it ever in doubt?

It's been a busy summer already for Kylian Mbappé, who has sealed a move to Real Madrid and is set to be France's biggest hope for success while in Germany.

The 25-year-old has already inspired his team to international glory, scoring four on the way to a World Cup title in 2018 when he was just 19 years old.

Now, six years later, there is even more weight on Mbappé's shoulders. Luckily for France, he typically thrives under pressure.

Les Bleus' captain has 47 goals in 79 games for the national team, and he's coming off a Ligue 1 campaign that brought 27 goals and seven assists in 29 games.

That kind of record speaks for itself. There's little doubt right now that Mbappé will be the best player at the tournament—because he's also the best player in the world.