Soccer is full of exciting moments, and some goals stay in our minds forever. The Puskás Award, created by FIFA in 2009, celebrates the most beautiful goal scored in a calendar year. This award is special because it honors skill, creativity, and the joy soccer brings to fans everywhere.
Who Was Ferenc Puskás?
The award is named after Ferenc Puskás, one of the greatest soccer players in history. Puskás played for Hungary’s national team in the 1950s and was famous for his amazing goals.
A Record to Remember
Puskás scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary—a record that is still incredible today. He also played for Real Madrid, where he helped the team win many trophies. The Puskás Award honors his legacy as a player who made soccer beautiful.
Why did the FIFA create the Puskás Award?
FIFA introduced the Puskás Award in 2009 to celebrate amazing goals. The first winner was Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a fantastic goal for Manchester United against FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League.
How Are The Best Goals Chosen?
Not every goal can win the Puskás Award. FIFA looks for goals that:
- Are Special: The goal should be special—like a bicycle kick, a long-range shot, or a brilliant team effort.
- Show Fair Play: The goal must be scored without breaking any rules.
- Inspire Fans: The goal should inspire fans across the world, no matter what club they support.
FIFA experts pick a shortlist of the best goals, and then fans vote online to choose the winner. This makes the award fun and exciting for everyone.
Some Unforgettable Puskás Award Winners
Over the years, the Puskás Award has been won by players who scored truly memorable goals:
- Zlatan Ibrahimović (2013): Zlatan scored an incredible overhead kick from 35 yards out against England, a goal that showed his strength, creativity, and skill.
- James Rodríguez (2014): James hit a perfect volley for Colombia against Uruguay in the World Cup. The ball came down from the air, and he struck it beautifully into the net.
- Wendell Lira (2015): Wendell, a Brazilian player, scored a stunning bicycle kick while playing in a small club match. His goal beat Lionel Messi’s entry that year.
- Mohamed Salah (2018): Salah’s beautiful curling shot in the Merseyside derby was unforgettable. His precision and technique made it stand out.
- Son Heung-min (2020): Son ran from his own half, dribbling past many defenders, to score an amazing solo goal against Burnley.
Other Notable Nominations For The Puskás Award
Not all great goals win, but many nominations are equally amazing:
- Cristiano Ronaldo (2018): His bicycle kick for Real Madrid against Juventus in the Champions League was breathtaking and received a standing ovation—even from Juventus fans.
- Erik Lamela (2021): Lamela scored a rabona goal for Tottenham Hotspur against Arsenal. A rabona is a special move where the player crosses one leg behind the other to strike the ball.
Why Is the Puskás Award Special?
The Puskás Award is not just about winning—it’s about celebrating the beauty of soccer. For players, it is an honor to be remembered for their skill. For fans, it’s a chance to relive the magic of the game.
Soccer fans look forward to the nominations
The Puskás Award shows how soccer can inspire and excite people all over the world. It keeps the memory of Ferenc Puskás alive and highlights the incredible talent of today’s players. Every year, fans look forward to seeing which goal will be named the best—and that’s what makes soccer the beautiful game.
