Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp picks his Euro 2024 and Copa America 2024 favorites
Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp has picked his favorites to win the two ongoing continental football championships, the UEFA EURO and the Copa America 2024. The German made the claims in an interview with Spanish anchor Agos Larocca on the Instagram handle of the Mallorca Tennis Championships.
Klopp spent 23 straight seasons in a head coaching role with Bundesliga sides Mainz (2001-2008) and Borussia Dortmund (2008-2015), and then with Premier League juggernauts Liverpool (2015-2024). He concluded his nine-year stay at Anfield a few months ago and is currently enjoying a sabbatical from football.
Speaking about the teams atop his power rankings for the EUROs, Klopp said (via Mirror):
"At the moment it looks a little bit like Spain could do it, but Germany is good, France can be good, and England will be better, definitely."
Klopp said that he texted Reds shotstopper Alisson Becker, but couldn't decide on a conclusive favorite to win Copa America. Therefore, he diplomatically claimed:
"Argentina. Or Brazil. Or Colombia. Or Uruguay! I texted yesterday with Alisson, I cannot make that decision."
While the knockout stages of the EUROs have already commenced, there are four more group-stage fixtures left in Copa America before the quarterfinals begin on July 5.
Three of the four European teams mentioned by Klopp have entered the Round of 16 as group toppers (except France, who finished second behind Austria). On the other side, Argentina and Colombia have qualified, Uruguay are on the verge of qualification, but Brazil need a win or draw to qualify for the quarter-finals.
How have Jurgen Klopp's favorites fared at EURO 2024 and Copa America 2024?
Spain looked comfortable in the group stage, winning all three games with five goals scored and none conceded. They booked their spot in the quarterfinals with a 4-1 thrashing of tournament debutants Georgia, where they will face Germany.
Germany were also impressive, with two wins and a draw in the group stage (eight scored, two conceded). They also eased into the Round of 16 with a comfortable 2-0 win over Denmark to book a quarterfinal date with Spain.
France and England faltered in the group stage, ending up with five points each. In the Round of 16, the Three Lions were down 1-0 to Slovakia for the majority of the game, but made a dramatic late comeback to win 2-1 after extra time. They will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
France, meanwhile, are pitted against Belgium in the Round of 16, a game that is yet to be played.
On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Argentina won all three group-stage games, scoring five goals and conceding none. They will take on Ecuador in the quarter-finals.
Uruguay have looked the most dominant side in the tournament. They have scored eight goals and conceded just one in their two wins so far, and just need a draw against the USA to enter the quarter-finals as group winners.
Colombia have also won both their games comfortably, scoring five and conceding just one. They just need a draw in their final game against Brazil to top their group.
Meanwhile, Brazil are in desperate need of a result against Colombia after their shocking 0-0 draw with Costa Rica in the opening game. However, a draw would be enough to seal their progress into the knockout stage.