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• Italy must aspire for Euro 2024 success, says Spalletti

  Luciano Spalletti has said that his side must "aspire" to retain their European Championship crown, even if it seems a longshot.

  The Azzurri travel to Germany as reigning champions having beaten England on penalties in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley three years ago.

  That victory proved to be an exception to Italy's recent form, though, given the Azzurri failed to qualify for either the 2018 or 2022 World Cups.

  However, after replacing Robert Mancini last year, Spalletti is confident his team can do big things in Germany, though he explained that his squad must take on the responsibility that the title of European Champions brings. 

  "We will never be calm, wearing the Italy shirt, so we must aspire to a lot," said Spalleti ahead of Italy's meeting with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

  "Sometimes games make you struggle, but we must prove that we are able to take on this responsibility. We work seriously, and we aim for the top."

  Spalletti was announced as Italy's coach in September, following Mancini's sudden resignation and switch to Saudi Arabia.

  The former Napoli boss was thrown in at the deep end, going into crucial Euro 2024 qualifiers just days later.

  Italy did not impress greatly in qualifying, losing twice to England and only managing to scrape through in second place.

  "We know where we come from. Surely, the best thing is not to tell these guys that the only way to wear this shirt proudly is to win. When I arrived, there was an open wound," he added.

  "We want to grow, but we start from a non-qualification to the World Cup. We want to work seriously, and we don’t want to hack ourselves."

  The Azzurri face Albania in their Group B opener in Dortmund on June 15, followed by games against Spain, the three-time European champions, and Croatia. 

• 'Vinicius the best player in the world by far' - Ronaldo

  Brazil legend Ronaldo says Vinicius Junior is the best player in the world "by far", as the former Real Madrid and Selecao striker joined calls for the winger to be crowned this year's Ballon d'Or winner.

  It has already been a memorable 2024 for Vinicius, who played a starring role as Madrid regained the LaLiga crown, before scoring in their Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

  The winger top-scored for Los Blancos with 24 goals across all competitions, with the likes of Carlo Ancelotti, Jude Bellingham and Neymar insisting his exploits are worthy of winning the Ballon d'Or award.

  Vinicius would be the fifth Brazilian to win the prestigious accolade after Kaka, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Ronaldo (twice), with the latter believing it is a formality.

  "He's been extremely decisive this year for Real Madrid," he told ESPN Brasil. "For me, today he's the best player in the world by far.

  "I think Vini already deserves [the Ballon d'Or]. I think his time has come. He's had a spectacular Champions League, a spectacular LaLiga, and he's been evolving more and more.

  "I remember that I did his presentation the day he arrived at Real Madrid and I got on well with him. I talk to Vini a lot about football and certain details and, looking at everything that's happened, it's a fantastic development that he's making."

  Vinicius now turns his attentions to the Copa America, where Brazil are among the favourites to land the crown in the United States.

  Rivaldo, who won the Ballon d'Or in 1999, concurred with Ronaldo, and thinks the 23-year-old would be guaranteed the award should he lead the Selecao to glory.

  "He deserves the Ballon d'Or," the former attacking midfielder said. "Of course, there's nothing better for him than to secure the award once and for all than by winning the Copa America now, right?

  "Today, he already deserves the award, but if he wins the Copa America, even better."

• Rudiger urges Germany to replicate Madrid's 'killer instinct' at Euro 2024

  Antonio Rudiger wants to use his experience with Real Madrid for the benefit of Germany at Euro 2024, seeking to find a "killer instinct" for Julian Nagelsmann's team.

  Germany duo Toni Kroos and Rudiger helped Madrid to their record-extending 15th Champions League crown last Saturday, defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final.

  That European glory added to this season's LaLiga success for Los Blancos, who continue to power on as a title-winning machine under the tutelage of veteran coach Carlo Ancelotti.

  With Germany's Euro 2024 opener against Scotland less than two weeks away, Rudiger hopes to embed his club's efforts into Nagelsmann's national side.

  "These are two different pairs of shoes," Rudiger said on Wednesday, referring to the difference between Germany and Madrid.

  "Here we have a very good system that fits our game but what we can take with us from Madrid is that killer instinct.

  "Our last game against Ukraine was super good. I have not seen a 0-0 from us in quite some time that was so good but the thing that was missing was the goals and that is what we can learn from Madrid."

  Germany were wasteful in that Ukraine draw on Monday, producing a similar performance as to those in their back-to-back group-stage exits at the World Cup in 2018 and four years later.

  They face Greece on Friday in their final warm-up match before the European Championship, where they meet Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland in Group A.

  "The anticipation in our own country is huge," Rudiger added. "On Friday we have an important last test. It is important for our confidence. It is important to excite our fans in this final test.

  "We have to be humble. We all know what happened in the past tournaments. The road to get here had ups and downs.

  "What is important is to play a very good first game and then see what happens in the rest of the tournament."

  As for Rudiger's own role within Germany's national setup, Nagelsmann wants the centre-back to guide his side through the tournament.

  "Julian said that I should be a leader in my role," Rudiger concluded.