The FIFA Puskás Award is an annual award given to the soccer player deemed to have scored the "most beautiful goal" of the calendar year. The award is named after the legendary Hungarian striker Ferenc Puskás, who was renowned for his spectacular goalscoring ability.
The award was first presented in 2009, and has been won by some of the biggest names in the game, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Zlatan Ibrahimovi?.
The selection process for the Puskás Award involves two stages. In the first stage, a panel of FIFA experts selects a shortlist of 10 goals from around the world. The shortlist is then voted on by fans on FIFA's website, with the goal that receives the most votes being declared the winner.
The Puskás Award has been praised for its focus on individual brilliance and creativity. However, it has also been criticized for its subjectivity, and for the fact that it is often won by players from high-profile clubs and leagues.
2009-2012: The early years
The inaugural FIFA Puskás Award was presented in 2009 to Cristiano Ronaldo for his goal against Porto in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. The goal was a stunning solo effort, with Ronaldo dribbling past several defenders before unleashing a powerful shot into the top corner.
In 2010, the award was won by Hamit Alt?ntop for his goal for Bayer Leverkusen against Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga. Alt?ntop's goal was a long-range bicycle kick that flew into the top corner.
In 2011, Neyar won the award for his goal for Santos against Flamengo in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Neymar's goal was a solo dribble from his own half of the pitch, before he rounded the goalkeeper and finished coolly into the empty net.
In 2012, Miroslav Stoch won the award for his goal for Fenerbahçe against Gençlerbirli?i S.K. in the Süper Lig. Stoch's goal was a long-range lob that flew over the goalkeeper's head and into the top corner.
2013-2018: The rise of social media
In 2013, Zlatan Ibrahimovi? won the award for his goal for Sweden against France in a friendly match. Ibrahimovi?'s goal was a long-range bicycle kick from 35 yards out, which flew into the top corner.
In 2014, James Rodríguez won the award for his goal for Colombia against Uruguay in the FIFA World Cup. Rodríguez's goal was a volley from outside the box that flew into the top corner.
In 2015, Wendell Lira won the award for his goal for Goianésia Esporte Clube against Atlético Mineiro in the Copa do Brasil. Lira's goal was a long-range overhead kick that flew into the top corner.
In 2016, Mohd Faiz Subri won the award for his goal for Penang FA against Pahang FA in the Malaysia Super League. Subri's goal was a free-kick from 35 yards out that curled into the top corner.
In 2017, Olivier Giroud won the award for his goal for Arsenal against Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Giroud's goal was a scorpion kick from outside the box that flew into the top corner.
In 2018, Mohamed Salah won the award for his goal for Liverpool against Everton in the Premier League. Salah's goal was a solo dribble from his own half of the pitch, before he rounded the goalkeeper and finished coolly into the empty net.
2019-present: A new era
In 2019, Dániel Zsóri won the award for his goal for Fehérvár FC against Ferencváros in the Nemzeti Bajnokság I. Zsóri's goal was a backflip bicycle kick from outside the box that flew into the top corner.
In 2020, the Puskás Award was not presented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, Érik Lamela won the award for his goal for Tottenham Hotspur against Arsenal in the Premier League. Lamela's goal was a Rabona chip from outside the box that flew into the top corner.
In 2022, Marcin Oleksy won the award for his goal for Warta Pozna? against Stal Rzeszów in the Ekstraklasa. Oleksy's goal was an acrobatic bicycle kick from outside the box that flew into the top corner.
The FIFA Puskás Award is a prestigious award that celebrates the most spectacular goals in soccer. It is a reminder of the beauty and artistry that the game has to offer.
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