STRIKERS are the players who grab the glory at major tournaments and having a deadly finisher could be the difference between winning Euro 2024 and coming up short.
Some of the best finishers in football will be strutting their stuff in Germany this summer so punters will be looking to cash in by backing them to score.
Best Euro 2024 strikers
Kylian Mbappe (France) – 79 Caps 47 International goals
The French magician is probably the best player in the world right now and was top scorer at the World Cup with eight goals, including a hat-trick in the final. Heads to the Euros in high spirits after signing for Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe international goals – trends to watch
The star man will either operate on the left or up front. If he's out on the wing he likes to cut inside and have shots from distance so could offer some value for goals scored outside the box. Although he netted eight times at the World Cup, only one of those goals was the opener and all of his strikes came in the second half.
Harry Kane (England) – 91 Caps 63 International goals
Another who knows how to deliver on the big stage, having won the Golden Boot with six goals at the 2018 World Cup. Also scored four times at the last Euros and heads into these finals having scored 44 goals in a stunning debut season for Bayern Munich.
Harry Kane international goals – trends to watch
Kane often chips in with more than one goal in a game for his country, netting twice or more 11 times in his international career. A whopping 21 goals of his England goals have come from the spot so it could pay to back him to score from a penalty.
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) – 115 Caps 85 International goals
As the spearhead for Belgium's golden generation, Lukaku has an incredible record at international level and was top scorer in Euro 2024 qualifying with 14 strikes. At 31 he will be desperate to shine on the biggest stage in what could be Belgium's last chance to win a major trophy with such a talented group of players.
Romelu Lukaku international goals – trends to watch
No striker at Euro 2024 is more physically imposing than Lukaku and his height and power make him a good option for headed goals. The striker netted back-to-back doubles at the 2018 World Cup so he's another who could be worth backing for more than one goal in a game.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 206 Caps 128 International goals
Only one European player has scored more goals than Lukaku at international level and that's evergreen Portuguese star Ronaldo. At 39, he's past his best and isn't playing at a high club level in Saudi Arabia. But the superstar still scored 10 goals in Euro qualifying for Portugal and should get lots of chances in an attack-minded side.
Cristiano Ronaldo international goals – trends to watch
Ronaldo's prowess in the air is often under-appreciated and he has scored well over a century of headers throughout his career. He's another player who often scores more than once in games, with 10 hat-tricks at international level and a couple of four-goal hauls too.
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) – 23 Caps 9 International goals
The Netherlands are potential dark horses and Liverpool forward Gakpo is the man most likely to provide the firepower, either as centre forward or from out wide. Netted three times in qualifying and was in good form at Anfield at the end of the season.
Cody Gakpo international goals – trends to watch
If you backed Gakpo for first scorer at the last World Cup you were quids in as he opened the scoring in all three of the Netherland's group games. Is unlikely to score from a penalty at the finals as boss Ronald Koeman has made Virgil van Dijk his spot-kick taker.
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
