Valencia emerges surprise contender for FIFA Young Player Award

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Berlin, June 22 (UNI) Luis Valencia may not have scored a single goal in the World Cup so far but the Ecuadorian mid-fielder is the leading contender for FIFA/Gillette Young Player Award ahead of Argentine teen prodigy Lionel Messi and England's Wayne Rooney.

Valencia is leading the race with 33 per cent popular votes.

Messi is a distant second with 16 per cent votes.

The 20-year-old ecuadorian will be seen in action against England in the second round after his side qualified as group A runner-up after losing their last league encounter against Germany.

He picked up a yellow card in the match after a rash tackle on German captain Michael Ballack.

Valencia has polled over one lakh votes so far and is miles ahead of Messi, who has received a little over 53,000 votes.

The Argentine striker being hailed as the ''New Maradona'' was one of the scorers when his side demolished Serbia and Montenegro 6-0 in their group match.

Wayne Rooney, who returned to England's starting line-up in the match against Sweden after a long injury lay-off, had four per cent votes in his favour and was fourth behind Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

The portuguese winger has scored thorugh penalty against Iran and is just 433 votes behind Messi.

UNI XC PM AY KP1443

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