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What became of the World Cup’s award-winning young players?

Kylian Mbappe was the standout young performer in Russia.

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Kylian Mbappe scored four goals in France’s World Cup-winning campaign in Russia, which earned the Best Young Player award.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at previous winners of the award and how their career progressed.

2014 – Paul Pogba, France

It is hard to imagine the world four years ago when Paul Pogba’s dance moves and haircuts weren’t a topic of debate.

Before the 2014 World Cup, a 21-year-old Pogba was just starting to establish himself after two seasons at Juventus. It was clear he had promise, but he was far from the finished article. Pogba’s lack of experience was evident in the first game, when he was fortunate to avoid a red card for kicking out at Honduras’ Wilson Palacios.

Not a regular pick for coach Didier Deschamps, he was dropped for France’s next match, but came off the bench to register an assist in the second half. Pogba scored in a match-winning performance against Nigeria in the last 16, before Les Bleus crashed out to Germany in the quarter-finals.

The tournament confirmed Pogba’s status as one of the world’s best young talents and his big-money move to Manchester United came two years later. He played a vital role in France’s midfield in Russia, scoring in the final.

2010 – Thomas Muller, Germany

Thomas Muller celebrates scoring against England at the 2010 World Cup
Thomas Muller celebrates scoring against England at the 2010 World Cup (Owen Humphreys/PA)

The Bayern Munich man fired in five goals from just five shots on target in Germany’s run to the semi-final. Four years later, Germany went one better and won the World Cup, with Muller scoring five and assisting three.

Now 28, he has continued to be a key player in Bayern’s domestic dominance but struggled alongside his compatriots in Russia as Germany exited in the group stage.

2006 – Lukas Podolski, Germany

Podolski in action for Germany against Poland at the 2006 World Cup
Podolski in action for Germany against Poland at the 2006 World Cup (Martin Rickett/PA)

Podolski’s efforts earned him a move from Cologne to Bayern Munich, where he spent three years before joining Arsenal. He remained a key figure in the Germany squad and was part of the team that triumphed in 2014. Now 33, he plays his football in Japan for Vissel Kobe.

2002 – Landon Donovan, United States

Donovan in action for the US at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa
Donovan in action for the US at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa (David Davies/PA)

Donovan, then 20 and playing for San Jose Earthquakes, scored in the Portugal win and headed in another against Mexico. The USA were eventually knocked out by Germany. It remains the USA’s best World Cup finish since 1930 and Donovan later went on to become the US national team’s all-time top scorer.

He moved to LA Galaxy in 2005 and is now the highest scorer in MLS history with 145 goals. The midfielder had two loan spells at Everton before returning to Los Angeles. He spent last season in Mexico with Leon.

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