Every year FIFA awards what they deem to be the greatest goal of the year the “Puskas Award”, named after one of the greatest goal-scorers football has ever seen.
I recently went back and watched every single winner again, and I have a thing or two to say about their quality … but before we begin you can check out some of my related blog posts below:
I See That Every Week
16 – Salah vs Everton (2018)
There are two reasons why Salah’s goal vs. Everton is the worst Puskas winner – firstly because it’s an average Premier League goal with good technique but nothing crazy, and secondly because of who he beat to win the award.
Both Ronaldo and Bale’s Champions League bicycle kicks were nominated, but neither of them won. It would be hard to pick a favourite of the two … but one of them had to win, surely!
15 – Oleksy vs Stal Rzeszow (2022)
I’m gonna sound like a huge party-pooper for this one, but Oleksy’s goal shouldn’t have won the Puskas award.
It’s impressive given the circumstances, but was it the best goal scored in 2022? Absolutely not.
Ooooh Nice One
14 – Son vs Burnley (2020)
Son runs almost the entire length of the pitch and slots it past the goalkeeper – a dream goal for any winger.
Shame it had to come against a Burnley team who posed as much defensive rigidity as a wet paper bag.
13 – Neymar vs Flamengo (2011)
Neymar’s goal against Flamengo is comprised of four solid moments – a skill past two players, a nice one-two, a cool skill around the last defender, and finally a tidy finish against the goalkeeper.
None of these moments are crazy on their own, but it was impressive to pull it all off back-to-back.
12 – Lira vs Atletico Goianiense (2015)
A great one-two that leads to an impressive bicycle kick. Get in there, my son!
The only thing holding Lira back is that he beat the GOAT Messi, who scored that famous solo goal against Bilbao in 2015 that scientists still can’t explain.
What A Hit Son
11 – Lamela vs Arsenal (2021)
It’s a shame Lamela’s cheeky rabona goal was scored during the COVID crowd-less era – I would’ve loved to hear the Emirates away end erupt!
10 – Stoch vs Genclerbirligi (2012)
Volleys straight from corners are every guy’s dream, and few have been better than Stoch’s.
9 – Madruga vs Novorizontino (2023)
A goal out of absolutely nothing – the best kinds of goals.
8 – Garnacho vs Everton (2024)
As a United fan I never thought I’d see a better bicycle kick than Rooney’s, but Garnacho’s was something else.
Rooney did it in a bigger game, but Garnacho’s technique is ten times better.
7 – Zsori vs Ferencvaros (2019)
Zsori’s goal is a mixture of both Madruga’s and Garnacho’s bicycle kicks – it came out of nowhere, and the technique was impeccable.
6 – Ronaldo vs Porto (2009)
Ronaldo was the first ever winner of the Puskas trophy for his long-range strike against Porto, and what a way to kick off the award.
Every time I watch the clip I’m amazed at how far out he’s hit one from.
5 – Rodriguez vs Uruguay (2014)
Great goals are always a hundred times better when scored in the World Cup, and Rodriguez’s strike against Uruguay is one of the best ever seen on the world stage.
The chest and volley off the crossbar was exquisite.
Absolutely Unreal
4 – Altintop vs Kazakhstan (2010)
Stoch’s volley from a corner was fantastic, but Altintop’s takes your breath away.
How he hits it so hard is beyond me.
3 – Faiz Subri vs Pahang (2016)
I remember when Subri’s freekick went viral back in 2016.
Not since Roberto Carlos has a ball been hit with so much curve – it looks impossible.
One For The History Books
2 – Giroud vs Crystal Palace (2017)
Giroud scored his famous scorpion kick on the first day of 2017, and everyone knew the Puskas award was already wrapped up.
It was great play from Arsenal to get it up the pitch, but Giroud’s backheel finish off the crossbar is what made the overall goal so magical.
1 – Ibrahimovic vs England (2013)
As an Englishman, I’ve never been more proud to concede a goal.
In the dying minutes of the game Zlatan decided to hit a bicycle kick from miles out. The world of football will never forget it.
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