Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes only three teams are capable of winning Euro 2024.
The eagerly awaited European Championships kick off next Friday as Germany, the host nation, faces Scotland at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena. Twenty-four teams from various European nations are vying to reach the final on July 14th and claim the trophy, which was last won by Italy after defeating England in the Euro 2020 final via a penalty shootout.
Rio Ferdinand, a revered figure in English football with 81 international appearances, naturally desires to see the Three Lions break their 58-year drought for a major trophy. He sees Gareth Southgate’s team as one of the top three clear contenders for the title.
England has approached the latter stages of the last three major tournaments, making deep runs in the two previous World Cups, sandwiched between a heartbreaking loss in the Euro 2020 final via a penalty shootout.
In the quarter-finals of the previous World Cup, Southgate’s team suffered a defeat against France. Ferdinand is of the opinion that Didier Deschamps’ team, who subsequently lost the final to Argentina, is another strong contender capable of clinching the Euros.
Rio Ferdinand believes that Portugal, the European champions of 2016, are the sole other team capable of securing victory at Euro 2024.
At the end of an interview with Portugal boss Roberto Martinez on the FIVE YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand said: ‘I want to wish you good luck for the tournament. I hope you do well and come second behind England, that would be great!
‘I think it is you [Portugal], England and France – it will be one of those three. I don’t see no-one else.’
Martinez then said: ‘I don’t think there are favourites in this tournament. I think if you look at the squads and the way the teams are growing, there are seven teams that on their day can win.’
A surprised Rio Ferdinand responded: ‘Seven? I don’t see anyone other than those three.’
To which Martinez – who took over the Portugal national team in January 2023 – said: ‘Germany are well down in the rankings but they have only played friendlies for two years.
‘They are playing as hosts and they have that mentality… they are always competitive in tournament football.
‘Then you look at England, Spain, France, Belgium, Portugal… there are a lot of teams that can believe they will go far. Bit tournaments are won by very small details.’
On the threat of England, Martinez added: ‘We faced them twice in the 2018 World Cup and then in the Nations League and I really enjoyed it.
‘I think what Gareth Southgate has created is that club-level feeling. It’s a very modern group and enjoy playing for England and feel together. Tactically they can be very flexible, it’s a really difficult opponent.’
England begin their Euros campaign against Serbia on June 16. The other teams in Group C are Denmark and Slovenia.