Liverpool's Raheem Sterling Wins 2014 European Golden Boy Award

Nobody will forget how good Raheem Sterling was in 2014, now that history has recorded it forever.

Sterling, 20, won the 2014 European Golden Boy Award on Saturday for his exploits for Liverpool and England’s national team over the course of the year, according to LiverpoolFC.com. The award recognizes Sterling as European soccer’s top performer under the age of 21. Sterling beat out 39 other nominees in a vote by leading journalists from around Europe.

“It’s a great achievement to win such an award,” Sterling said, according to LiverpoolFC.com. “It’s a really happy feeling for me and my family, of course.

“Something I’ve always wanted to do is to work hard playing football and try to be recognized. I’m really grateful that people have shown me this recognition.

“It’s down to hard work. I’m really happy that people are recognizing that I’m trying to work hard and do my best for this football club. I’m really grateful for this award.”

Sterling progressed from prospect to key player for both Liverpool and England this year. The versatile attacker featured heavily in Liverpool’s title challenge in last season’s Premier League and England’s journey at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Sterling arguably has been Liverpool’s best player in 2014-15.

Sterling is the first Liverpool player to win the European Golden Boy Award, which Italian publication Tuttosport established in 2004. Sterling is the first English player to win the award since Wayne Rooney did so in 2004. Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba won the award last year.

Something tells us there’s much more to come from Sterling — both in 2015 and in subsequent years.