French football star Paul Pogba received the ‘Hyundai Young Player Award’ recently in Paris, in recognition for his outstanding performance during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.
The 21-year-old Juventus star, who played a leading role in the French national team’s entry in the quarterfinals with his one goal and one assist performance, was announced as the winner for the coveted award at the end of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ in July. The award ceremony took place at Hyundai Motor’s booth at the Paris Motor Show 2014, attended by Mr. Pogba and Hyundai Motor and FIFA officials.
“Receiving the Hyundai Best Young Player Award is a source of pride for me. I think of all the years of work, and now, I feel rewarded. Playing in the FIFA World Cup 2014 was already a dream – and this Award is another. My next dream is to be the Best Player of the World Cup,” said Paul Pogba.
“Paul Pogba was a standout player throughout the 2014 FIFA World Cup, displaying exceptional skill, physical strength and maturity. Following five appearances for France and one goal, the FIFA Technical Study Group and Hyundai agreed that Pogba was the deserving winner of the prestigious Hyundai Young Player Award. Since being judged the best player at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013, Pogba has continued to improve across all areas of the game and has quickly become one of the most influential players for his country at senior level,” said Jean-Paul Brigger, the FIFA Technical Study Group Director.
“Uncovering the next rising star on the world stage is one of the biggest joys of the FIFA World Cup tournament and we are very happy to be part of this exciting award,” said John Kim, President of Hyundai Motor France, during the event. “Hyundai Motor, as the Official Partner of FIFA World Cup, will continue its support to find young talents through the ‘Hyundai Young Player Award.’”
First awarded in 2006, the Hyundai Young Player Award is one of FIFA’s official awards that select outstanding young players born on or after 1 January 1993 that have, among other exceptional skills, a refreshing and youthful style of play and is a role model for young footballers. The winner is chosen by the Technical Study Group, a FIFA-appointed group of top football coaches, former players and analysts. Those past two awards, formerly named `Best Young Player Award,’ were handed out to Lukas Podolski in 2006 and Thomas Muller in 2010, respectively.
