Kang In one year on from Under-20s World Cup MVP award

One year ago, Kang In was chosen as the Player Of The Tournament at the Under-20s World Cup in Poland. The honour gave the VCF Academy product an increased profile and popularity, attracting new eyes to his rapid progress and development. Despite South Korea losing 3-1 in the final to Ukraine, Kang In was a standout and the team were given a rousing welcome home following the competition.

The award takes pride of place in the VCF forward’s home in Valencia, where he has lived since joining the Juvenil team. In the intervening years, Kang In has improved hugely -both mentally and physically- and has integrated well into the first team dressing room thanks to his maturity and good nature.

With 10 games remaining of the 2019/20 LaLiga season, Kang In has already enjoyed more minutes than he did last season, and put in great showings against Getafe CF (scoring a LaLiga goal), Sevilla FC and LOSC Lille.

The South Korean star watched the game against Levante UD last Friday from the bench, and is preparing to play if required against Real Madrid on Thursday.

WINNERS OF UNDER-20S WORLD CUP MVP AWARD:

1977: Vladimir Bessonov (USSR)

1979: Maradona (ARGENTINA)

1981: Romulus Gabor (ROMANIA)

1983: Geovanni Silva (BRAZIL)

1985: Paulo Silas (BRAZIL)

1987: Robert Prosinecki (YUGOSLAVIA)

1989: Faria Barreto (BRAZIL)

1991: Emilio “Peixe” (PORTUGAL)

1993: Adriano (BRAZIL)

1995: Caio Ribeiro (BRASIL)

1997: Nico Olivera (URUGUAY)

1999: Seydou Keita (MALI)

2001: Javier Saviola (ARGENTINA)

2003: Ismail Matar (EMIRATOS ÁRABES UNIDOS)

2005: Leo Messi (ARGENTINA)

2007: Kun Agüero (ARGENTINA)

2009: Dominic Adiyiah (GHANA)

2011: Henrique (BRAZIL)

2013: Paul Pogba (FRANCE)

2015: Adama Traore (MALI)

2017: Dominic Solanke (ENGLAND)

2019: Kang In Lee (KOREAN REPUBLIC)