Euro U21 players of the tournament and where they are now as Gordon wins award
Anthony Gordon has followed in the footsteps of some of the biggest stars in world football after being named player of the tournament at the U21 Euros.
The Newcastle forward was handed the honour after Lee Carsley's England beat Spain to lift the trophy – writing his name into the history books of the tournament.
Previous winners include born winners like Luis Figo and Andrea Pirlo – and many others who could never quite live up to expectations.
Rudi Voller and Mark Hateley are among those to have picked up the award between 1978 and 1992 – with our list starting with a Portugal icon.
READ MORE: 'Salty' Everton post 's***house' tweet to England U21 – and miss out one ex-star
Luis Figo – 1994
A young Luis Figo helped Portugal into the final of the tournament back in 1994 – playing a starring role despite them losing 1-0 to Italy.
Figo would go on to win eight major European league titles and the Champions League with Real Madrid, making 127 appearances for the senior national side.
Now 50, it has been 13 years since his playing career came to an end, he has since worked in the media and also came close to running for FIFA presidency.
Fabio Cannavaro – 1996
Fabio Cannavaro was already showing glimpses of his defensive ability as a teen – and hit headlines in being named the player of the tournament in 1996.
It was in fact the second time that Cannavaro had won the tournament, as his senior career would not disappoint as he won La Liga twice with Real Madrid and the World Cup as well as the Ballon d'Or in 2006.
The 49-year-old retired in 2011 and has since managed Al-Nassr, Guangzhou and China – most recently having a spell at Benevento.
Francesc Arnau – 1998
It was the turn of a goalkeeper to shine in 1998, with Francesc Arnau of Spain guiding his side to a win over Italy in the final.
Arnau would go on to spend five years in the Barcelona first-team and another 10 years at Malaga, later spending time as their director of football.
Tragically, Arnau passed away at the age of 46 in May of 2021.
Andrea Pirlo – 2000
Andrea Pirlo was the stand out star in 2000 as Italy got back to winning ways, stopping the Czech Republic in a tense final.
Pirlo, who was playing for Inter Milan at the time, would go on to win two Serie A titles with rivals AC Milan and four with Juventus.
The 2006 World Cup winner retired in 2017 after an MLS spell, since managing Juventus and Fatih Karagumruk before taking over at Sampdoria this year.
Petr Cech – 2002
Petr Cech kicked off a glittering career by helping the Czech Republic to a notable tournament win over France in 2002.
The stopper would go on to win four Premier League titles, seven domestic cups and the Champions League with Chelsea before joining Arsenal.
Cech, now 41, has since spent time as a director at Chelsea – and also plays ice hockey for the Oxford City Stars.
Alberto Gilardino – 2004
Alberto Gilardino was the hero with four goals in 2004 as Italy won the tournament for the fifth time across just seven editions.
Another member of Italy's 2006 World Cup triumph, Gilardino also won the Champions League during his time with AC Milan across an extended career.
Now 41, Gilardino is manager of former club Genoa, winning 15 of his 24 matches in charge so far.
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Klaas-Jan Huntelaar – 2006
Is was the turn of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to shine in 2006, with the Netherlands beating Ukraine 3-0 in the final as he doubled his goal tally to four.
The striker would go on to play for PSV, Heerenveen, Ajax, Real Madrid, Milan and Schalke – retiring in 2021.
The 39-year-old, who scored 42 goals across 76 games for the senior national side, since taking up a backroom role at Ajax.
Royston Drenthe – 2007
Royston Drenthe led the Netherlands to another triumph in 2007, beating Serbia 4-1 in the final in Groningen.
Drenthe joined Real Madrid from Feyenoord after the tournament but struggled to impress, spending time on loan at Everton.
The forward, who also played for Reading and Sheffield Wednesday, retired in 2022, only ever making one appearance for the senior side.
Marcus Berg – 2009
Marcus Berg was named the player of the tournament in 2009 despite Sweden losing in the semi-finals against England in extra-time.
Berg scored seven goals across just four games, going on to join Hamburg from Groningen before a successful spell with Panathinaikos.
Now 36, Berg still plays at club level for IFK Goteborg, two years after he made the last of 90 caps for his country.
Juan Mata – 2011
Juan Mata helped Spain kick off a run of dominance in 2011, just before he swapped Valencia for Chelsea.
The playmaker won the FA Cup and Champions League with the club before moving to Manchester United, joining Galatasaray last summer.
The 35-year-old made 41 appearances for the senior side, winning the World Cup in 2010 and European Championship in 2012.
Thiago Alcantara – 2013
Thiago Alcantara guided Spain to a 4-2 win over Italy in 2013, beating Alvaro Morata to the player of the tournament trophy.
Thiago has already won four La Liga titles and the Champions League with Barcelona, joining Bayern to win seven league titles and four domestic cups.
The 32-year-old joined Liverpool in 2020 but has struggled with injuries – and been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
William Carvalho – 2015
Portugal's William Carvalho won the trophy in 2015 as his nation beat Sweden on penalties in the final.
The central midfielder spent seven years in the first-team at Sporting Lisbon before joining Real Betis in 2018.
He also remains a key player in the national side, making 80 appearances in total having recently celebrated his 31st birthday.
Dani Ceballos – 2017
Spain may have missed out on glory in 2017, but Dani Ceballos had done enough to be named the player of the tournament.
The midfielder has since spent six years at Real Madrid after leaving Betis, two of which came on loan at Arsenal.
As well as winning the FA Cup, Ceballos has since picked up La Liga, Copa del Rey and two Champions League medals.
Fabian Ruiz – 2019
Fabian Ruiz helped Spain to triumph in 2019, beating Germany 2-1 in the final.
Ruiz was new to Napoli at the time, leaving last summer to join PSG where he made 37 appearances and won Ligue 1 last season.
He has now made 18 appearances for the senior side and helped them to Nations League glory earlier this summer.
Fabio Vieira – 2021
Portugal came up short in the final against Germany in 2021, but Fabio Vieira had done enough to be named the player of the tournament.
The former Porto man, 23, joined Arsenal for an initial fee of £30million last summer, making 33 appearances last time out.
As he finds his feet in the Premier League, he is yet to make his debut for the senior side.
Anthony Gordon – 2023
Gordon was the standout star in 2023 as England did enough to beat Spain in the final – winning the tournament without conceding a goal.
The youngster may have left Everton on bad terms, but Eddie Howe is confident that he can help lead the new era at Newcastle.
The 22-year-old is also set to make his Champions League debut next season, having already made 105 senior appearances in domestic football.
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