Euro 2000 Star Players

Luis Figo (Portugal)

Luis Figo’s performance in Euro 2000 earned him the runners up spot behind Zidane in the world player of the year awards. Luis Figo was outstanding in the memorable clash against England where he scored as Portugal came back from 2-0 down to win the match 3-2. After Euro 2000, Figo moved from Barcelona to Real Madrid for a staggering £40m. Figo was named European Footballer of the year in 2000 and world football player of the year in 2001. In the five years that Luis Figo spent in the Nou Camp he did not disappoint. He was instrumental in bringing the club two domestic championships, two Spanish cups and the European Cup Winners Cup. In 2005 Luis Figo moved to Italian side, Inter Milan.

Henrik Larsson (Sweden)

Larsson was a constant threat during Euro 2000 for Sweden however the tournament ended in disappointment as they finished bottom of their group. He scored in the match against Italy, when rounding Italy’s keeper Francesco Toldo to score in the 2-1 defeat against the eventual finalists. In July 1997 Henrik Larsson moved to Celtic for a bargain £650,000. Larsson scored a staggering 39 goals during the 1998- 99 season. It was during the 2000- 2001 season where Larsson hit his very best form. He banged in 53 goals to win Europe’s Golden boot award.

Gaizka Mendieta (Spain)

Mendieta came on to the international stage during Euro 2000. He was left out of Spain’s opening match which they lost however he transformed their fortunes against Yugoslavia and Slovenia, he was outstanding in both those matches. Mendieta also scored a penalty against the eventual winners France in the quarter finals. Mendieta played for Valencia and in 2001 he moved to Italian club Lazio for a phenomenal £30 Million, which at the time made him the most expensive Spanish player ever. In 2002 he played for Barcelona and later moved on to Middlesbrough of England.

Robert Pires (France)

Pires starred during Euro 2000 and was a constant threat to the opposition, he came on as a substitution in the final of Euro 2000 and had a hand in the golden goal which David Trezeguet scored to seal victory over Italy. After Euro 2000, he moved to Arsenal for a bargain of £6 million. He won the premiership with Arsenal on two occasions and appeared 283 times for the club. Just before the 2006 world cup he moved to Valencia.

Rui Costa (Portugal)

Rui Costa was a major player for Portugal during Euro 2000; however France beat them in the semi- finals. He was also his countries best player during Euro 96 however the side only made it to the quarter finals. He featured for Portugal in Euro 2004 and scored against England in the quarter finals however Portugal lost the final 1-0 to Greece. Rui Costa moved to Italy in 1992 to play for Fiorentina for a fee of £5 Million. In the summer of 2001 he moved to AC Milan for £28 Million, he was outstanding for them, helping them win the Italian league in 2004. He moved to Benfica in the summer of 2006.

David Trezeguet (France)

Before Euro 2000 began, Trezeguet had not established himself in the French side. However he scored the winning golden goal for France in the final of Euro 2000 to beat Italy. After his brilliant display in the European Championships, he moved from Monaco to Juventus for £17.5 million. He helped them win the Italian league (serie A) on three occasions. He has also played for France during the 1998 and 2002 world cups and in Euro 2004. For Juventus he has averaged more than one goal every other game which is an outstanding goal scoring record.

Fabien Barthez (France)

Barthez undoubtedly helped France win the European Championships of 2000. He produced many stunning saves against Portugal in the semi – finals and against the Italians in the final of Euro 2000. He was a glorious winner with France during the 1998 world cup finals. Barthez joined Manchester United in the summer of 2000 with a formidable pedigree. His first season at Old Trafford enhanced his reputation as a world class goalkeeper. He won the premiership with Manchester United in 2003; however he moved on to play for Marseille in 2003. He starred for France in their disappointing World Cup 2002 campaign.