Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand and former Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho disagreed on which team will come out on top at Euro 2024 in Germany.
Euro 2024 officially begins on Friday when host nation Germany face Scotland in their Group A opener in Munich, with kick-off slated for 8pm UK time.
Germany are among the favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy alongside the likes of France, Portugal and England.
Italy are the reigning European Championship holders after a penalty shootout win against England in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
Luciano Spalletti’s men are in Group B and will face Croatia, Spain and Albania, with Italy facing the latter on Saturday in their first match at Euro 2024.
Manchester United players have been called up for international duty at Euro 2024 in Germany and the 2024 Copa America in the United States.
Ferdinand and Mourinho make Euro 2024 predictions
Speaking ahead of Germany’s opening match against Scotland, both Rio Ferdinand and Jose Mourinho revealed their favourites to win Euro 2024 this summer.
Rio Ferdinand was asked by TNT Sports (via TikTok) for his winner and the Manchester United legend backed England to come out on top ahead of Germany.
The 45-year-old TNT Sports pundit believes host nation Germany will reach the finals before falling short to the Three Lions.
Ferdinand conducted a separate interview with Mourinho on TNT Sports and the former United and Real Madrid manager backed Portugal to win Euro 2024.
Mourinho, who previously named the three strongest teams in the competition, suggested that the Three Lions would reach the final of Euro 2024.
England boss Gareth Southgate has failed to end the Three Lions’ long-running silverware drought at his last three major international tournaments.
Euro 2024 has been tipped as Gareth Southgate’s final competition for England ahead of the Three Lions boss’ contract expiring in December.
Ferdinand and Mourinho disagree on Golden Boot winner
Ferdinand and Mourinho, much like their Euro 2024 prediction, could not see eye to eye on who would scoop the Golden Boot at the forthcoming UEFA tournament.
Fenerbahce boss Mourinho believes that England captain Harry Kane, who he managed at Tottenham, will win the Golden Boot at Euro 2024.
Ferdinand, on the other hand, thinks that soon-to-be Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe will be the Golden Boot winner, despite not predicting France to reach the final.
Mourinho, who also predicted his Player of the Tournament, even admitted that he sees host nation Germany as a “surprise team” to win Euro 2024.
“The surprise team is anyone outside Portugal, France and England because I think those three are the favourites,” he said.
“So, anyone that comes outside these three, even countries with status like Germany.”