🎤 Gaizka Mendieta Exclusive Interview and Euro 2024 Predictions

Gaizka Mendieta gives his Views on EURO2024

Gaizka Mendieta shares his Euro 2024 predictions in this interview, favouring France. He discusses Golden Boot and Ball contenders, identifies dark horses, highlights young Spanish talents, predicts Spain’s semifinal potential, and makes match predictions. He also reflects on his football memories and notable teammates.

🏆 Gaika Mendieta's Euro 2024 Predictions! 🏆

🇫🇷 To Win - France, England, or Germany, leaning towards France

🔥 Golden Boot? - Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Cristiano Ronaldo 

🇪🇸 Spain’s key players? - Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Alvaro Morata, Rodri

🌟 How far will Spain get? - Predicts Semifinals

⚽ How far will England get? - Should aim for the semifinals

Gaizka Mendieta Euro 2024 Predictions

Gaizka Mendieta

40 International Caps for Spain and played at Euro 2000

Q: Who will win Euro 2024?

GM: “For me the two big favourites, three maybe, are of course France, who are probably the strongest team. England, I think England are there in terms of squad and individuals. 

“And of course the hosts Germany, it’s unbelievable how they always compete. I'd love to say Spain, but I don't think we are among them yet. 

“We could have a surprise but I do lean towards those three, if I had to pick one, probably France.”

Euro 2024 Betting Odds

All odds tables on this page are sourced live from the displayed betting sites. Once the market is closed, no odds box will appear.

Euro 2024 16 Jun @ 18:19 - Win Tournament
England	5.00
France	5.50
Germany	6.50
Portugal	9.00
Spain	9.00

Q: Who will win the Golden Boot at Euro 2024?

Mendieta tips Mbappe to pick up another Golden boot award at Euro 2024GM: “I hope it will be Alvaro Morata after he got back to his scoring habits, but I think Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku could be one of the surprises - and you have to put Cristiano Ronaldo there if Portugal play him and make him the key man 

“It could be Jude Bellingham, but it's different to play for Madrid than it is to play for England and we can imagine how Gareth Southgate will play.

“So it could be a surprise, but I think Mbappe, Kane and Ronaldo could share it.”

Euro 2024 Golden Boot Betting Odds

All odds tables on this page are sourced live from the displayed bookmakers. Once the market is closed, no odds box will appear.

Euro 2024 16 Jun @ 18:19 - Win Tournament
England	5.00
France	5.50
Germany	6.50
Portugal	9.00
Spain	9.00

Q: Who will win the Golden Ball at Euro 2024?

GM: “I would love to pick from the midfielders union, but strikers are dominating football nowadays, I don’t see many midfielders dominating and winning these awards.

“So I’ll have to say that whoever wins the Golden Boot will win the Golden Ball. Mbappe is my favourite, I think that to have success it’s important that national teams stick with the same system.

“Mbappe is one of those and Kane, England play to his strengths, Phil Foden could win it, 

“I'd love to put Spanish players there. Let's see how Pedri gets there. Maybe Morata.”

Q: Who are your dark horses at Euro 2024?

GM: “I think Austria are a dark horse. Georgia is a team that have no pressure on them. Maybe Turkey. Turkey have done very well in tournaments previously and have a lot of talent as well.

“In any big tournament there's always someone that surprises us. Maybe Spain.”

Q: Who will be Spain’s key players at Euro 2024?

GM: “There's a lot of enthusiasm in Spain because there are a lot of young players coming through Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams as well as the experience of Morata and Rodri. 

“So I think in theory there's a good combination of all of them. Hopefully Luis de la Fuente will manage to make a nice group and team with different options and alternatives. 

“The qualification has been good, playing good football. So I  think Spain in general is very excited about it.

“Morata and Rodri are the key players, Pedri was probably the other one but he's having a lot of injuries. Maybe it's good that he's not been playing much, and now he gets to the Euros fresh.

“I'm very excited about Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. I think those two are young players, but still very experienced with pace, character, leadership. 

“I think they can really help if Morata plays in that sort of system. Morata is the leader, he's the captain. The experience of Unai Simon will also help in goal, I think we have a good balance.”

Q: How far will Spain get at Euro 2024?

GM: “How far will Spain get? I'd love to say the final. But from recent tournaments we don’t know which Spain side we will get. I think we are quite unpredictable in that sense.

“I'd love to see us in the final, but that wouldn’t be my prediction at the momentI wouldn't be one of my choices at this moment. I think for the project, for the team that is there, a semi-final would be decent. 

“To really keep growing under De la Fuente, the semi-final final would be a big step for us.”

Euro 2024 Group B 16 Jun @ 18:19 - Group Betting
Spain	1.33
Italy	3.50
Croatia	26.00
Albania	101.00

Q: Is there pressure on England to win the tournament?

GM: “I think the pressure is on England, but I think it’s fair. If you look at squads in the Nations League, the World Cup, it is unbelievable man to man.

“England have some of the best players in the world, so I think it’s a matter of the form the team arrive in.

“Looking at how Southgate has set up in the past, I think he always prioritises the squad and being a solid team that is hard to beat and score on the counter. England are one of the three favourites with France and Germany.”

Q: How far will England get at Euro 2024?

GM: “England should get to the semi-finals, that should be the objective, nothing less than a semi-final. If England don’t reach the semi-final then we will hear plenty about it.

“France are my overall favourites because of their experience, because the squad have been playing together for three or four tournaments with the same manager and the same style so they have the advantage.

“A final between France and England, that would be interesting in Germany.”

Euro 2024 Group B 16 Jun @ 18:19 - Group Betting
Spain	1.33
Italy	3.50
Croatia	26.00
Albania	101.00

Q: Are you a fan of the Spain kit for Euro 2024?

GM: “I think the kits become legendary or become memorable depending on what you do in the tournament. Of course, if you win it, everyone will remember it. 

“If you don't win it and you get knocked out in the early stages, fans just burn it, just throw it away.

“I do like the new kit. I think it's very sharp with bright colours. Changes are good in this case, we usually have some blue but this bright red and yellow, hopefully it becomes memorable.”

Q: What can we expect from Spain fans at Euro 2024?

GM: “Spain fans are not very good travellers to be honest. But it just happens that Germany has a lot of Spanish people who went there to find work. So I’m sure they will make their way there.

“I'm hoping Spain will be supported, but not at the level of England or other countries where they travel heavily and are very well supported.

“Also Germany, it's summer and it's a good excuse to go travelling.

“You bring your party, your music, your food, whatever is there. You don't need much, just a bit of beer or wine and that's it, everything picks up.”

Q: What are your memories of representing Spain?

GM: “When you're a kid, you dream of representing your country in a major tournament, whether it is Euros or World Cups.

“My tournament memories are being in hotels  spending time with the group. As I mentioned with France, that’s why it is important that players all speak the same language in terms of activities because you spend so much time together.

“So I remember those days and those situations and luckily I played most of the games but it's not easy for those who don't play but also they make a difference.

“I was at the World Cup and I didn't play the first games and I wasn't very happy but you have to keep your mentality and be there for the squad, for the team and try to help in every way. 

“It's these memories that this team will have a lifetime.”

Q: Who were the biggest characters you played alongside with Spain?

GM: “Raul is my age, a bit younger than me, but it's my generation when we started, he started the youth before. 

“Before us, there were the likes of Fernando Hierro, Miguel Angel Nadal, the uncle of Rafa Nadal, Pep Guardiola. So there was a generation before us.

“Of course then there was Raul, Fernando Morientes, Joaquin. So there was a big list of incredible names and players.”

Q: Who was the most skillful player on the famous Nike advert before the 2002 World Cup?

GM: “That was easy. Ronaldinho. It was unbelievable. That was without a doubt the best advert I've been involved in and probably that I've seen in terms of being iconic and original. I still remember nowadays, I think the most skillful ones were definitely the Brazilians.

“Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Nazário, Roberto Carlos, Denilson were there. So it was tough for the rest of us in terms of skill, but then talent like Figo, Totti…, the list goes on and on, 

“Ferdinand and Scholes, unbelievable. And interestingly, because he was filming in Rome it was literally 10 minutes from where I lived at the time I was at Lazio. 

“And Eric Cantona, we were filming on different days with different people and he only came in at the end and people didn’t know he was coming, so when he appeared it was really really special.”

Q: What is your prediction for Spain vs Croatia?

GM: “I go for a draw there Croatia are still being run by Luka Modric, let's say 2-2.”

Spain v Croatia 16 Jun @ 18:19 - Full Time Result
Spain	1.91
Draw	3.50
Croatia	4.50

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Q: What is your prediction for Spain vs Italy?

GM: “I think the Italy national team is still quite unpredictable so I’ll go with 1-0 to Spain.”

Spain v Italy 16 Jun @ 18:19 - Full Time Result
Spain	2.15
Draw	3.30
Italy	3.60

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Q: What is your prediction for Spain vs Albania?

GM: “It will be tough to break them Albania, but hopefully an early goal and then 2-1 to us.”

Albania v Spain 16 Jun @ 18:19 - Full Time Result
Albania	13.00
Draw	5.80
Spain	1.27

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Gaizka Mendieta Profile

• Born -  27 March 1974 (Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain)
• Position - Midfielder
• Notable Teams -  Valencia CF, Lazio, Barcelona, Middlesbrough
• National Team - Spain

Gaizka Mendieta Zabala (born 27 March 1974) is a retired Spanish professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Renowned for his technical skills, offensive contribution, and tackling, he excelled in both goal-scoring and assisting. Mendieta was most notable during his tenure at Valencia CF and concluded his professional career with Middlesbrough in England. He earned 40 caps for Spain and participated in Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup.

Mendieta played in Euro 200o and the 2002 World Cup and gained 40 international caps in totalEarly Career

Born in Bilbao, Basque Country, Mendieta debuted professionally at 17 with CD Castellón in the Segunda División. Within a year, he moved to La Liga with Valencia CF, making his first-team debut on 13 June 1993.

Valencia CF

Mendieta rose to prominence in the 1997-1998 season under manager Claudio Ranieri, transitioning to central midfield and scoring ten goals in 30 league matches, leading to his debut on the national team. He was instrumental in Valencia's Copa del Rey victory against Atlético Madrid in June 1999 and their Supercopa de España win the next year against Barcelona. Valencia also reached the UEFA Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001, with Mendieta being named "European Midfielder of the Season" both years.

Middlesbrough 

Following his success at Valencia, Mendieta joined SS Lazio in 2001 for €47.7 million, becoming the sixth most expensive player at that time. After an underwhelming season, he spent 2002-03 on loan at Barcelona, before transferring to Middlesbrough. In England, he contributed to Middlesbrough's Football League Cup victory. Mendieta retired in May 2008, concluding a 17-year professional career.

International Career

Mendieta joined Spain's national team in 1996 and earned his first senior cap on 27 March 1999 in a 9-0 victory over Austria during the UEFA Euro 2000 qualifiers. Despite a dip in form at Lazio, he was selected for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring once in three matches. His final appearance for Spain was in a friendly against Bulgaria four months after the World Cup.

Retirement 

Post-retirement, Mendieta has shown interest in football management, appeared in Nike commercials, and worked as a pundit for Sky Sports covering Spanish football. He currently lives with his family near Middlesbrough, in Yarm.

Interview May 2024

Speaking exclusively to OLBG, Spain icon Gaizka Mendieta has discussed Gareth Southgate’s ‘exciting’ links to Manchester United before he takes England to Euro 2024.

The former Premier League midfielder has also tipped Nico Williams to be the perfect replacement for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool with his future up in the air.

Mendieta believes that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta would firmly reject Barcelona this summer and hinted that Pep Guardiola could be the next England manager.

Q: Does Gareth Southgate have what it takes to become the new Manchester United boss?

GM: “Being a club manager is quite different to a national team, which is a role he fits so well. I think his style is closer to the national team. 

“If he went to Manchester United he would need some time to create a long-term project. Manchester United have the time and the ability to do that. Let's see what happens. 

“But it would be exciting to see him working away from the national team and see him back in club management.”

Q: Would Mikel Arteta leave Arsenal for Barcelona if offered the job?

GM: “Would Mikel Arteta leave Arsenal for Barcelona? Not at all. Barcelona don’t have stability at the moment, especially in the financial sense.

“It's not nice to see a club like Barca and of course a friend like Xavi in that situation. When you do become a manager you have the ups and downs. I'm sure he's not the first one and Barca are not the first club in this financial situation.

“Even then, they won the league last season, they won the Super Cup this year. So with all the noise around and then within the club he is still doing well. 

“But I don't know what will happen. Right now it's quite unpredictable to know if Xavi will be there or not. Hopefully it's the best for Xavi and the best for the club. 

“Ideally Xavi's stays and they continue to build this amazing young team. They've achieved amazing things that nobody expected.”

Q: Does Nico Williams have what it takes to replace Mohamed Salah at Liverpool?

GM: “Nico Williams has the talent to replace Mohamed Salah at Liverpool. Although he's very young, he's dealt with a lot of pressure already, not only in Athletic Bilbao but also with the Spain national team. 

“He’s incredible 1v1. He can play on both wings, although on the left, I think he gives more to the team. He could play for Liverpool, the way they use wingers.

“Luckily for Athletic Bilbao, players from Bilbao love to play for this club and they play in Europe next year, so if someone wants to sign him they need to be prepared to pay.”

Q: Do you see Pep Guardiola leaving Manchester City next summer?

Mendieta sees no other options for GUardiola to stay in a position that suits him for now at Man CityGM: “I don't think I see Pep Guardiola leaving Manchester City soon, but I do see his next job in Italy, although there might not be a project that suits him at the moment.

“By saying that he is coming to the end of his time at City I think he just means he has achieved everything he set out to achieve. 

“Knowing him, he's ambitious, he will want to go to Italy or maybe work with a national team and keep filling up his trophy cabinet, it’s not longer just shelves, it’s a room full of trophies.”

Q: Could Pep Guardiola manage England or Spain next?

GM: “I don't see Pep Guardiola managing him in the Spain national team. Not soon at least, I don't think so. I think he will be more excited about a team like England or Brazil than Spain in their current situation.

“I see him more in other federations. But I think he is ambitious enough to still want to do more things in England with Man City.”

Q: Can Middlesbrough push for promotion next season?

GM: “Middlesbrough can definitely push for promotion next season. They were close last season and Michael Carrick has done an amazing job. 

“We know how difficult the Championship is, so competitive with so many great teams. You have to invest as if you are a Premier League club. 

“Middlesbrough have to make that effort, they know what Carrick needs if he is going to get promotion. I’d love to see Middlesbrough in the Premier League.

“The fans miss being in the top flight, I went to see them in the League Cup against Chelsea. They are so loyal following the team and always make the effort. I loved my time there.

“It's difficult when you are stuck there for some time to get that momentum back with the teams that are already there. It's not easy, but it can happen. Hopefully they know what is needed for that. 

“They've already had the experience of the playoffs from previous seasons so hopefully everything will align for the team to come back.”

England Championship 2024/25 16 Jun @ 18:19 - To be Promoted
Leeds	2.10
Burnley	3.00
Luton	5.00
Middlesbrough	5.00
Coventry	5.50
West Brom	6.00