Former Manchester United and England star Gary Neville had an eyebrow-raising pick for his Euro 2024 ‘dark horse’ team at the tournament in Germany.
Euro 2024 is underway this summer and host nation Germany are among the favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy on home soil.
Julian Nagelsmann’s men began their Euro 2024 campaign with a sensational 5-1 thumping of 10-man Scotland in their Group A opener last week.
Joining three-time European Championship winners Germany among the favourites at this summer’s Euros are England, Portugal and France.
England kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a 1-0 victory over Serbia in Group C on Sunday, despite Gareth Southgate’s men underwhelming with their display.
France, much like England, struggled in their Group D opener against Ralf Rangnick’s Austria side before clinching a 1-0 win on Monday evening in Dusseldorf.
Portugal, who were crowned champions at Euro 2016, play their first match of the UEFA tournament on Tuesday evening against the Czech Republic.
Neville’s bizarre Euro 2024 ‘dark horse’ pick
Speaking on ITV Sport (via TikTok), Gary Neville was asked a series of predictions about Euro 2024, including his pick for the winner and his dark horse team.
Neville, who previously revealed his pick to win Euro 2024, said that his dark horse for the European Championship tournament was none other than Portugal.
However, the Manchester United legend admitted that Portugal were not “really dark horses,” despite picking Roberto Martinez’s men in the first place.
“Dark horses for the tournament. Not really dark horses, but Portugal,” Neville said.
Portugal are far from being dark horses, considering the country’s impressive Euro 2024 qualifying campaign under manager Roberto Martinez.
Martinez’s men finished top of Group J in their Euro 2024 qualifiers after winning all 10 matches, with Portugal scoring 36 times and only conceding two times.
Portugal are also widely tipped to finish top of Group F at Euro 2024, with Martinez’s side set to play against the Czech Republic, Turkey and Georgia.
Neville’s other Euro 2024 predictions
Neville admitted that his favourites to capture Euro 2024 are France, who fell short of the Henri Delaunay trophy at Euro 2016 to Portugal.
Despite not predicting England to win the tournament, Neville believes that Three Lions captain Harry Kane will take home the Golden Boot ahead of Kylian Mbappe.
The former United and England defender hesitated for a moment before naming France captain Kylian Mbappe as his pick to be named Player of the Tournament.