Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, 3 Other Top Players at Euro 2024 Who Are of African Descent

• The 2024 UEFA European Championship will kick in Germany later today, June 14, with 24 nations battling for the title
• The tournament is also dominated by players who are of African descent despite being an all-European team competition
• Sports Brief has highlighted the top five players of African descent who represent a European national team at the Euro

The 2024 UEFA European Championship will be held from June 14 to July 14 in Germany, with players itching to perform for their respective nations.

This edition will welcome several players of African descent, most of whom are on the French national team.

Sports Brief takes a look at the top five players at Euro 2024 who can trace their roots back to the African continent.

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Top players of African descent at Euro 2024

1. Kylian Mbappe (Cameroon and Algeria)

The former Paris Saint-Germain star is one of the players tipped to light up the competition in Germany, but it would've been different if he had decided to represent his father or mother's origin.

His mother is Algerian by origin, while his father is originally from Cameroon. However, the new Real Madrid signing decided to represent his country of birth, France, internationally.

2. Lamine Yamal (Morocco and Equatorial Guinea)

The Barcelona star is the youngest player in the competition (16 years, 337 days) and could have missed this tournament if he had chosen to represent either his father's country, Morocco, or his mother's country, Equatorial Guinea.

The youngster was born in Spain and represented the country at a youth level before being called up to the national team.

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3. Kobbie Mainoo (Ghana)

Mainoo was born in Stockport, England, to Ghanaian parents, but he has been representing his country of birth since the under-17 level.

The Manchester United youngster was named in the Three Lions squad for the competition after an impressive full debut season for the Red Devils in the English top flight.

4. Jamal Musiala (Nigeria)

Musiala is tipped as one of the best players in Germany's squad for the tournament, but he could have played in the Africa Cup of Nations if he had decided to represent his father's country, Nigeria.

The Bayern Munich star's father is from the Nigerian Yoruba tribe, while his mother is German with Polish roots.

The Chelsea academy product shuffled between England and Germany at the youth level but decided to play for Die Mannschaft in 2021.

5. Romelu Lukaku (DR Congo)

The former Chelsea striker will feature in his third European Championship for the Belgian national team despite being from the Democratic Republic of Congo through his parents.

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The AS Roma star's father played football internationally for the Leopards, but his two sons represent Belgium.

Lukaku is the Red Devils' all-time highest goal-scorer with 85, and he could add to his tally in Germany.

Favourites to win Euro 2024

Sports Brief also previously compiled a list of favourite teams to win Euro 2024 in Germany with Italy and Belgium not being included.

The Azzurri won the last edition after defeating England in the final at Wembley but are not favourites to retain their trophy in Germany.