Jose Mourinho gives his Euro 2024 predictions as he picks out his winner and offers verdict on key England stars... with the new Fenerbahce boss also revealing shock Ballon d'Or call

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Jose Mourinho has offered his Euro 2024 predictions ahead of the start of the tournament on Friday.

The month-long tournament will kick off in Germany on Friday night with the host nation taking on Scotland in Munich as they hope to kick off their tournament with a bang.

The hosts are among the favourites to lift the trophy on July 14 as they continue their recovery under Julian Nagelsmann, though will face tough competition from a number of other top European sides.

Speaking to TNT Sports during the Champions League final at Wembley, Mourinho has in new footage given his predictions for who he thinks will come out on top, and is backing a familiar name.

He revealed that he believes Portugal, his own nation, will will their second tournament in three competitions in Germany, with England falling short.

Jose Mourinho has given his Euro 2024 predictions ahead of the start of the tournament

Host nation Germany will kick off the tournament against Scotland on Friday evening

Mourinho has backed his own nation, Portugal, to win their second tournament in three attempts

The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager, however, who is back in management with Fenerbahce in Turkey, did predict Gareth Southgate's team to come second, which would be a repeat of Euro 2020. 

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When asked to pick out a surprise team, Mourinho said: 'Anyone outside Portugal, Feance and England because I think these three are the favourites.

'I think anyone who comes outside these three, even countries like Germany or whatever, anyone outside of these three for me.'

He then turned his attention to some of England's stars, backing his former player from their pair's Tottenham days, Harry Kane, to wrap up the competition with the Golden Boot.

The 61-year-old then backed Jude Bellingham to continue his successful year just weeks after lifting the Champions League in winning Player of the Tournament. 

Finally, Mourinho was asked who he believes will win the Ballon d'Or, and offered perhaps a shock prediction for a maiden winner of the trophy.

He picked out Real Madrid's Vinicius Jnr, who helped his side to a Double last season in winning both LaLiga and the Champions League, and will play at the Copa America for Brazil this summer. 

He also opened up on two England stars, including Harry Kane (right), who he backed to win the Golden Boot

The veteran manager picked out his winner for the Ballon d'Or, choosing Vinicius Jnr to lift the trophy for the first time

The 23-year-old scored 21 goals and picked up a further nine assists for Madrid last season, two behind Bellingham in both metrics.

He did, however, play three fewer games, and netted in the Champions League final as his side once again lifted the trophy.

The winner will be crowned in October this year, giving contenders four more months to push their cases to be crowned the world's best player.