The AI tool, ChatGPT, has named its final best lineup for the European Championship at the request of the "Daily Mail" website. The free OpenAI tool has been trained on a large dataset to interact with users through conversation. With the start of the 2024 European Championship (Euro) in Germany, ChatGPT responded to the request by outlining the best lineup for the tournament as follows:
**Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Spain)**
Iker Casillas is considered one of the greatest goalkeepers in football. He won the "Euro" title with Spain in 2008 and 2012. In 2008, Casillas kept a clean sheet in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final when Spain defeated Germany 1-0. He maintained a clean sheet in 5 matches during the 2012 European Championship, including the final, with a stunning 4-0 victory over Italy. ChatGPT noted that Casillas is "known for his calm demeanor and tactical acumen, having led Spain through its golden era," in addition to his "remarkable reflexes, leadership, and crucial saves."
**Right Back: Philip Lahm (Germany)**
Despite never winning the European Championship, German player Philip Lahm was a runner-up in 2008 when Spain won the title. ChatGPT described him as a "fantastic and consistent performer" and "widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in football history."
**Center Back: Franco Baresi (Italy)**
Baresi played for the Italian national team in the 1980 and 1988 European Championships. ChatGPT referred to him as “an integral part of the Italian defense, known for his tactical intelligence and leadership."
**Center Back: Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)**
Also regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Beckenbauer is the only defender in football history to have won the prestigious Ballon d'Or twice. ChatGPT highlighted his control and defensive prowess in the heart of the defense, as well as his pioneering role in playing slightly behind the defenders to "control the ball in case the attacker surpassed the other defenders."
**Left Back: Paolo Maldini (Italy)**
Although left-back Paolo Maldini never won the European Championship, ChatGPT praised his "consistent performances." At age 19, Maldini was part of the Italian squad in the 1988 European Championship in West Germany, but 12 years later, he was the captain of his national team in the 2000 European Championship. Italy reached the final that year but lost to France, who scored a "golden goal" in the 103rd minute to win 2-1.
**Midfielder: Xavi Hernandez (Spain)**
ChatGPT stated that he "coordinated" the midfield of the Spanish national team during its victories in the 2008 and 2012 European Championships and was "known for his passing accuracy." The AI added, "Xavi was pivotal in Spain's midfield, playing a crucial role in the team's possession-based style." In the 2008 European Championship, he scored the opening goal in the semifinal match against Russia and was named the tournament's best player.
**Midfielder: Michel Platini (France)**
ChatGPT dubbed Michel Platini the star of "Euro 1984," where he scored an incredible 9 goals leading the French team to victory. No other player has scored this number of goals in a single "Euro" tournament. The AI tool described Platini as "one of the most recognizable figures in football," known for his "creative playmaking and ability to score from midfield." Platini won the Ballon d'Or three times in a row and served as president of UEFA from 2007 to 2015.
**Midfielder: Zinedine Zidane (France)**
If any player embodies the glory days of the French national team in the early 2000s, it is legend Zinedine Zidane. Two years after winning the World Cup on home soil in 1998, France won all but one of its matches in the 2000 European Championship to secure victory. Zidane was named the tournament's best player after scoring two goals, including a golden goal from a penalty in the semifinal against Portugal. However, his global reputation suffered drastically in 2006 when he headbutted an Italian player in the World Cup final (his last match). Nonetheless, the AI program stated that he is still celebrated as a player for "his skills, balance, and ability to control matches."
**Right Winger: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)**
Regarded as the greatest active football player today (along with Lionel Messi), ChatGPT noted that Ronaldo is "known for his goal-scoring ability and physical attributes" and "is consistently present in multiple tournaments." Ronaldo led Portugal to glory in the 2016 European Championship after scoring 5 goals, including a decisive goal against Wales in a memorable semifinal.
**Forward: Marco van Basten (Netherlands)**
Forward Marco van Basten played a significant role in winning the only trophy for the Netherlands during the 1988 European Championship. He scored 5 goals in that tournament, including a hat-trick against England in a group stage match against Peter Shilton. ChatGPT stated that Van Basten was known for his "technical skill" and is still regarded as "one of the greatest forwards in football history." He played his last match in 1993 at the age of 28 due to an ankle injury, which forced him to retire two years later.
**Left Winger: Thierry Henry (France)**
ChatGPT stated that Thierry Henry "is known for his speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability." The Frenchman scored 3 goals in the 2000 European Championship, including a stunning goal against Denmark in the group stage. He was selected in the "Team of the Tournament" by UEFA, alongside 6 other French players, including Zidane, Fabien Barthez, and Patrick Vieira. ChatGPT noted: "Henry was a prolific scorer, known for his accuracy and composure in front of goal. His achievements in football left an indelible mark on the sports world, and he continues to influence as a pundit and coach."
**Coach: Vicente del Bosque (Spain)**
No lineup is complete without a coach, and ChatGPT selected Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque, who led his country to victory in the 2012 European Championship. ChatGPT noted, "Del Bosque was praised for maintaining team harmony and effectively integrating new players into an already successful squad." Along with Helmut Schön from Germany, Del Bosque is the only coach to have won both the European Championship and the World Cup. ChatGPT claims that this virtual dream team features "a mix of players from different eras," each of whom made "significant contributions" to the European Championship.
