Podolski handed young player award

Germany striker Lukas Podolski was today confirmed by FIFA as their young player of the World Cup.

Podolski, 21, has scored three goals in six matches – two against Sweden and one against Ecuador – ahead of Germany’s third place play-off clash with Portugal in Stuttgart tomorrow.

Podolski won the award, chosen by a 14-man FIFA panel, ahead of fellow contenders Spain’s Cesc Fabregas, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Ecuador’s Luis Valencia and Switzerland’s Tranquillo Barnetta.