Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand claims only three teams can win Euro 2024 | Football

The much-anticipated European Championships start next Friday with hosts Germany taking on Scotland at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.

24 teams from across Europe are bidding to reach the July 14 final and secure a trophy most recently lifted by Italy, who beat England on penalties in the Euro 2020 final.

Ferdinand, an England legend with 81 caps, naturally wants the Three Lions to end their 58-year wait for a major trophy and views Gareth Southgate’s side as one of three clear favourites.

England have come close at the last three major tournaments, reaching the latter stages of the previous two World Cups in-between their agonising penalty shootout defeat in the Euro 2020 final.

Southgate’s side lost to France in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup and Ferdinand believes Didier Deschamps’ side, who went on to lose the final to Argentina, are another team capable of winning the Euros.

Ferdinand reckons Portugal, European champions in 2016, are the only other team good enough to triumph at Euro 2024.

‘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 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.

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