Lionel Messi: He’s Young, He’s Good, He’ll Get the Award

One of the things I am looking forward to this World Cup is the competition for the Best Young Player Award. FIFA will present this new award to the player under the age of 21 based on skill, youthful and refreshing playing style, creativity and entertainment, tactical maturity, fan recognition, results and fair play. FIFA has said the individual’s performance as a role model and positive influence will also be taken into consideration.

There is any number of candidates who could win the award. England’s Wayne Rooney, Portugal’s crossover king Christiano Ronaldo, South Korea’s Chu-Young Park, Brazil’s Robhino and Australia’s Nick Ward are all players I have my eyes on.

But the player who I think will walk away with the trophy is Argentina’s Lionel Messi. Just 18 years old, Messi has a bright future ahead. He’s advanced through the ranks at Barcelona and he was a dominant force when he led Argentina’s under-20 team to the World Cup championship. His vision and creativity are a delight to watch.

Argentina’s coach Jose Pekerman will have a hard time keeping Messi off the field, even with players like Hernan Crespo, Javier Saviola and Carlos Tevez on his roster. Messi may not live up to the label of being the next Maradonna this go around (or ever for that matter), but I think he will show that he is the best young player in a World Cup that will have plenty of exciting young talent on display.

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