"Unconditionally Real Madrid!" An Ju-wan, Dreaming of Becoming the "K-Umbre," Sets Even Bigger Goals After Receiving the Future Star Award: "I Only Think About How to Do Better" [2026 Futures Star Awards]

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"Unconditionally Real Madrid!"

The "monster prospect" An Ju-wan (17, Shinpyeong High School, Seoul E-Land FC) expressed his bold ambitions toward the world's top stage.

The ceremony for the "2026 Futures Star Awards (hosted and organized by StarNews, supported by the Korea Sports and Olympic Committee, the Korea National Sport and Promotion Foundation, the Korea Baseball & Softball Association, the Korea Basketball Association, the Korea Volleyball Federation, Korea Sports Leisure Co., Ltd., and Palseok Mijin)" was held on the 26th in the press conference room on the 19th floor of the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. More than 100 people attended, including award recipients, officials from sports associations, federations, and clubs, and members of the selection committee.

An Ju-wan is the recipient of the "Future Star Award." The "supernova" born in 2009 has been consecutively breaking various youngest-ever records in the K League since his first professional season.

He made a dazzling debut by setting the record for the "youngest appearance" in K League history (16 years, 11 months, and 7 days) in March last year. Following that, he broke the "youngest goal scorer" record in July and exploded with the "youngest multi-goal performance" during an away match against Chungbuk Cheongju in September. Based on these performances, he even secured the title of "youngest Round MVP in K League 2 history," earning evaluation as a major talent who will lead the future of Korean soccer.

An Ju-wan, who received the Star Award trophy on this day, stated in his acceptance remarks, "Given the size of my goals, I only think about how to do better going forward."

He cited Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) as his role model. He said, "I most want to resemble Mbappe's ability to use his fast speed for breakthroughs and shooting." When asked about which European league or team he would like to play for in the future, he boldly replied, "Unconditionally Real Madrid," displaying the confidence typical of a teenager.

The selection committee members also highly rated An Ju-wan's potential. Scout Jeong Jae-yoon praised him, saying, "He is skilled at bold breakthroughs and penetrating spaces using his fast speed, and he perfectly possesses finishing decisiveness." He added, "He displays overwhelming skills and performance that defy his age as a second-year high school student."

■ Date: October 26, 2026 (Mon), 3:00 PM

■ Location: Press Conference Room, 19th Floor, Korea Press Center (124 Sejong University-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul)

■ Recipients and Prizes (Total 10 people)

◇ Baseball

Ha Hyun-seung (18, Kiwoom Heroes 1st Round), 3rd year at Busan High School: Prize money of 3 million won

Lee Ho-min (18, KIA Tigers 1st Round), 3rd year at Gyeongnam High School: Prize money of 1 million won and gift certificates worth 1 million won

◇ Soccer

An Ju-wan (17, Seoul E-Land FC), 2nd year at Shinpyeong High School: Prize money of 1 million won and gift certificates worth 1 million won

Jeong Hyun-ung (18, FC Seoul), 3rd year at Osan High School: Prize money of 1 million won and gift certificates worth 1 million won

◇ Basketball

Yoon Ji-won (18), 3rd year at Gyeongbok High School: Prize money of 3 million won

Yoon Ji-hoon (18), 3rd year at Gyeongbok High School: Prize money of 1 million won and gift certificates worth 1 million won

◇ Volleyball

Son So-yeon (16), 1st year at Sunmyeong Girls' High School: Prize money of 1 million won and gift certificates worth 1 million won

◇ Golf

Yang Yun-seo (18), 3rd year at Incheon Girls' High School Affiliated Broadcasting & Open High School: Prize money of 1 million won and gift certificates worth 1 million won

◇ Skateboarding

Kang Jun-i (18), 3rd year at Yeongdeungpo High School: Prize money of 1 million won and gift certificates worth 1 million won

◇ Artistic Gymnastics

Hwang Seo-hyun (18), 3rd year at Incheon Sports High School: Prize money of 1 million won and gift certificates worth 1 million won

■ Selection Committee Members

Kim In-sik, former national team manager (Selection Committee Chair), Cha Myung-ju, Performance Improvement Committee Chair of the Korea Baseball & Softball Association (KBSA), Jeong Min-hyuk, Head of Scout Team at Hanwha Eagles, Kwon Do-young, Manager of Scout Team at Kiwoom Heroes

Han Jun-hee, commentator for Coupang Play, Son Seung-jun, full-time instructor for the Korea Football Association, Kwon Oh-gyu, Technical Director of Bucheon FC, Jeong Jae-yoon, scout for Jeonbuk Hyundai

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original