Podolski named best young player
First Published: Jul 07, 2006
German forward Lukas Podolski gestures during the World Cup 2006 semi-final between Germany and Italy at Dortmund stadium, July 4. Podolski has been named by FIFA as the World Cup's best young player.
Germany's Lukas Podolski has been named by FIFA as the World Cup's best young player.
The 21-year-old Polish-born striker scored three goals after coach Jurgen Klinsmann had selected him as part of a drive to reinvigorate a flagging team. He has now scored 15 goals from 31 appearance with the national team.
Podolski played with FC Cologne last year but after they were relegated to the second division he joined champions Bayern Munich.
He won the first ever World Cup best young player award ahead of the other nominees, Lionel Messi of Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, Luis Valencia of Ecuador, Tranquilo Barnetta of Switzerland and Cesc Fabregas of Spain.
It was open to all players born after January 1 1985. A total of 40 players from the 32 qualified teams met this criterion.
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