French midfielder Paul Pogba has won the Hyundai Young Player Award for his impressive form during the recent 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the Fifa technical study group that made the selection said.
The 21-year-old Juventus star scored a goal against Nigeria in the Round of 16 and was an influential figure in France’s five matches.
With an 80 percent pass completion rate— including an assist against Switzerland—in 354 minutes of play, Pogba continued where he left off at the 2013 Fifa U-20 World Cup in Turkey, where he won the Golden Ball award.
The young midfield dynamo finished ahead of Dutchman Memphis Depay and compatriot Raphael Varane.
Fifa looked into each player’s level of skill, refreshing and youthful style of play, creativity and inspiration, tactical maturity and effectiveness, fan recognition and positive attitude. He must also be a role model for young footballers and an advocate for fair-play.