World Cup winner bigs up England's chances of glory at Euro 2024

World Cup winner bigs up England's chances of glory at Euro 2024

French World Cup winner Fabien Barthez has played up England's chances of glory in Germany this summer.

Gareth Southgate's men head into the tournament as one of the favourites to take home the trophy after finishing runners-up to Italy three years ago.

The former Manchester United goalie, who won the tournament with France in 2000, fancies England's chances but concedes the tournament is as tight as it's ever been.

"England have a great chance, of course," he said.

"My favourite player is [Jude] Bellingham, but it’s still hard to predict. I played at three Euros and three World Cups, and only the big sides get there, especially now.

"20 years ago, it was always Germany, Italy, Spain, France and England, but now, other nations have got stronger, so there’s no such thing as minnows. It’ll be very tight."

Alongside the Three Lions, Barthez's France are one team that could halt England's road to glory and the goalkeeping legend believes they are very much in the mix for the trophy.

Barthez added: "They’ve obviously got a great chance, but as I was saying earlier, elite football comes down to fine margins, so it’s hard to put a percentage on their chances of winning.

"There are so many factors at play at a tournament like that. We know what France’s strengths and weaknesses are. For me, they have a lot more strengths than weaknesses, but there’s so little between the teams."

Fabien Barthez was speaking on behalf of Official UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League partner, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, as part of the Enterprise ‘Rent-A-Player’ competition in Toulouse. Discover more at www.enterprise.co.uk/uel

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