With the conclusion of Euro 2024 and Copa America, we can now look back on two tournaments that delivered sensational individual performances—but not all of them came from the usual suspects.

In the absence of star turns from players like Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and most of the Brazil squad, other unexpected names stepped up to fill the void, either bursting onto the world football scene or reminding fans of their existence.

With the summer transfer window starting to kick into gear, some may have even added a couple of million dollars to their price tags.

Read on for 12 players, six from each tournament, who showed up in a big way for their national teams.

Is there anyone missing who caught your eye? Let us know in the comments.

Marc Guehi, England

Guehi has been consistently solid for Crystal Palace since he made the trip across London from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge to Selhurst Park in 2021. However, he excelled in Germany for England.

The 24-year-old had a job to do with Harry Maguire absent from the Three Lions' well-established back line, but he slipped in next to John Stones with little trouble.

Guehi has been pegged for a transfer to a bigger club for some time thanks to his efforts with the Eagles, but whether he could effectively make the step up had been in question.

At Euro 2024, he demonstrated the ability to deal with world-class attackers with ease, playing in every game and helping England keep two clean sheets—conceding just six in seven matches.

Daniel Muñoz, Colombia

Crystal Palace might have a hard time keeping its defense intact following these international tournaments.

Muñoz moved to London from Belgian side Genk in the 2024 winter transfer window, and he proved a shrewd pickup. The right wing-back provided four assists in 16 Premier League games for the Eagles, including two in a 4-0 victory over Manchester United.

He brought that attacking threat to Copa America, too, with two goals and an assist as Colombia reached the final.

A sending-off in the semifinal against Uruguay for elbowing Manuel Ugarte kept him from appearing in the tournament's climax, and Colombia could have used his verve and defensive diligence as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Argentina.

At 28 years old, and with that act of aggression perhaps sticking in the mind of some scouts, perhaps Palace will be spared of any offers to take him off their hands. Still, Muñoz showed just what he can do when given license to burst forward on the right.

Marc Cucurella, Spain

Euro 2024 was something of a redemption tour for Cucurella, who hasn't exactly been embraced at Chelsea since an expensive move from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022.

It looked like his Blues career was over during parts of the 2023-24 season, as he was frequently unfavored by former boss Mauricio Pochettino and missed a significant chunk of time with muscle and ankle injuries.

But after returning from surgery on the latter issue in March, he proceeded to play all 90 minutes of the last 12 Premier League games as the Blues rounded into form.

In Spain's eventually successful Euros campaign, he was sensational, providing balance on the left, protecting Nico Williams ahead of him, eating up minutes on the clock with theatrics when required, and even providing the assist for the winning goal in the 2-1 final victory over England.

He's clearly loved by his international teammates, too, suggesting that maybe just a little bit of confidence and adoration is what he needs to deliver that kind of form in London. However, perhaps some managerial stability might also help.

Jon Aramburu, Venezuela

Twenty-one-year-old Jon Aramburu was the standout player for a Venezuela team that surpassed expectations and reached the quarterfinal.

The right-back lines up for Real Sociedad at club level, although he's played only 11 La Liga games since arriving at the club in 2023. He should feature more frequently next season, as long as he sticks around.

Aramburu will be attracting interest after some energetic performances on both flanks that produced two assists. He's only played six games for Venezuela's senior team, but he could be a mainstay for La Vinotinto for the next decade or so.

His versatility and penchant for whipping in dangerous crosses will surely be coveted, and Real Sociedad might have a hard time keeping him in Basque country.

Jaka Bijol, Slovenia

Bijol should make Udinese a healthy profit on the $4.4 million the Serie A side paid CSKA Moscow for his services in 2022.

The 25-year-old was a crucial part of a Slovenia defense that only conceded twice at Euro 2024, including over 120 minutes of action against a Portugal side many considered to be tournament favorites.

He made a tournament-leading 9.5 clearances per game, and he also provided an average of 2.8 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 1.8 blocks every time he stepped on the pitch.

His reading of the game is immaculate, and his strength in the air makes him a fearsome opponent. He's also got an eye for a pass and good recovery pace, which are coveted traits in a modern center back.

Udinese may struggle to keep hold of him.

James Rodríguez, Colombia

James reminded the world of his talents at Copa America, leading the tournament with six assists and also notching a goal in perhaps one of the more shocking star turns of any player in international competition this summer.

The man who set the 2014 World Cup alight was seemingly back with a vengeance, proving that despite failing to ever really get comfortable with a domestic side, he can still deliver the goods for Colombia.

His stock certainly rose as a result, but it's perhaps unlikely to lead to anything in terms of a transfer. But for lovers of nostalgia, it was wonderful to see James back to his world-beating best.

Riccardo Calafiori, Italy

For Serie A aficionados, the performances of Calafiori were not so surprising.

The 22-year-old center back was a key component of a Bologna side that reached the heady heights of fifth in the Italian league in the 2023-24 season. He only made his senior international debut for Italy in the friendly matches ahead of the Euros, but he quickly made himself known to onlooking fans.

Despite an own goal against Spain through little fault of his own, Calafiori demonstrated the mental strength that will stand him in good stead throughout his career. He went on to provide a crucial assist in the 98th minute against Croatia in the following game that sealed the Azzurri's path to the knockout rounds.

A suspension for the round-of-16 match against Switzerland was perhaps one of the main reasons for Italy's disappointing exit, but interested clubs will be grateful he'll have a little extra rest and recuperation ahead of the upcoming season.

According to the Mirror, a move to Arsenal might be imminent, and although Bologna will be reluctant to lose him, the club could be set to make around 10 times the $4.3 million it paid FC Basel for him in 2023.

Manuel Ugarte, Uruguay

Things haven't quite worked out for Ugarte at Paris Saint-Germain, starting just 21 league games for the club since his $65 million move from Sporting CP in the summer of 2023.

Disappointing performances saw his stock deteriorate, but it received a welcome boost with his form at Copa America.

Ugarte was a warrior in his defensive midfield berth, racking up 4.2 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and two clearances per game.

That return to prominence has Manchester United sniffing around for a loan deal, according to GiveMeSport, and it could be a smart move to replace the rapidly deteriorating Casemiro—even temporarily.

Ugarte needed to remind everyone of his quality at the Copa, and he did so with aplomb.

Giorgi Mamardashvili, Georgia

In a Georgia side that was appearing in its very first major international tournament, keeping the ball out of the net was essential in any chance of progressing past the group stage. Thankfully, Mamardashvili was in sparkling form.

The 23-year-old was WhoScored.com's highest-rated player at Euro 2024, making 7.5 saves per game, including some incredible stops to give his team a fighting chance. He made 11 saves against Czechia alone, the second-most in a single group-stage match in the tournament's history.

Valencia snapped him up for less than $1 million in 2022, and his value has soared since, in part because of his heroics in Germany. The club will be reluctant to lose him, but his sale will bring in a serious windfall should he move on.

Joe Scally, USA

In a tournament in which the United States seriously underperformed, Scally at least emerged with some credit.

The 21-year-old right-back was tasked with taking over from the injured Sergiño Dest, and he largely performed admirably.

Known to MLS fans after making his league debut as a 15-year-old, this was perhaps the best chance Scally has had to give himself some exposure to a wider audience. He rarely put a foot wrong, which is saying something considering the lackluster showing from much of the rest of the squad.

He featured in all but three games for Borussia Monchengladbach last season, grabbing four assists and one goal in the process. After establishing himself as international caliber, interest in Scally is surely set to increase ahead of the new season.

Georges Mikautadze, Georgia

Mikautadze had a name-making run at Euro 2024, scoring once in all three group games to help his nation to a round-of-16 meeting with eventual champions Spain.

An eventful tournament has given way to an eventful transfer window, with the 23-year-old at the center of a tug-of-war between AS Monaco and Olympique Lyonnais, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The latter won the battle, with a $19.6 million switch set to earn Metz a profit of around $5 million.

If he can keep up his goalscoring heroics for his new club, it could represent a bargain for Lyon. Mikautadze was an absolute nightmare for defenders to deal with in Germany, and with some improved service from a higher caliber of players, he should continue to make the net bulge with regularity.

Richard Rios, Colombia

Central midfielder Richard Rios was one of a clutch of Colombia players who shone at Copa America, but the 24-year-old is perhaps the least well-known.

Rios plies his trade at club level for Palmeiras in Brazil, but in the United States, he gave a global audience an example of just what he has to offer.

Ceaseless energy from the middle of the park gave Colombia a solid platform to build on. He hassled and harried the opposition, while his quick feet enabled him to outfox would-be-tacklers and open up space before gliding through the center of the park with ease.

His eye for a through ball also helped to split defenses and leave them bamboozled, giving the opportunity for other attacking stars to add the finishing touches.

Given Rios' exhibition in the United States, it would be surprising if he didn't move on this summer.

Stats courtesy of WhoScored.com unless otherwise noted. Transfer fees sourced from TransferMarkt.com.