FIFA has announced the three finalists for the Puskas Award 2023. Among the three, there are two nominations from top-tier European leagues while the third one is from Latin America.
Named after legendary Hungarian striker Ferenc Puskas, it is given to the most aesthetically significant goal of the year. Polish Amputee footballer Marcin Oleksy currently holds the prestigious award for a bicycle kick goal he scored.
The three finalists in contention for the FIFA Puskas Award 2023 are Brighton's Julio Enciso, Sporting winger Nuno Santos and Guilherme Madruga, who plays for Brazil-based Botafogo.
1 Nuno Santos (Sporting CP vs Boavista)
The 28-year-old Portuguese winger scored a rare rabona to hand his team the lead during a Primeira Liga match
on March 13, 2023. Playing on the left-flank Santos received the ball near the penalty spot, although the box was filled with players from both sides.
A Sporting attack on the right wing saw Marcus Edwards and Youssef Chermiti combining. Once inside the box, Edwards tried to find Chermiti but the ball was played just behind the target. But it reached Nuno Santos who didn't doubt himself and went for the astonishing.
A Puskas Award-probable was scored!
2 Guilherme Madruga (Botafogo Futebol Clube vs Novorizontino)
23-year-old defensive midfielder Madruga powered a crazy bicycle kick from outside the box on June 28, 2023, to reach the elite list. The spectacular was special for many reasons -- Madruga's first of the season to begin with. Botafogo's opponent Novorizontino was enjoying a seven-game winning streak before the wonder goal handed them a shock defeat at home.
3 Julio Enciso (Brighton & Hove Albion FC vs Manchester City)
For the great joy of the home fans, the Seagulls's Paraguayan attacker on May 24 fired an unstoppable 25-yard strike into the top corner of Ederson's net. The goal was the end product of a perfectly crafted team move and forced the the all-powerful English champions to split points with Brighton.
A world-class finish against a world-class opposition...
FIFA Puskas Award: How are the finalists determined?
- From the 11-goal shortlist, fans and an expert panel helped in the selection of the final three. Each voter made their first, second and third choices for the prize.
- Points were given to nominees depending on where they were placed (five points for first, three for second and one for third).
- Selections from the two voting groups – fans and expert panellists – each counted for 50 per cent of the total vote, irrespective of the number of voters from each group.
- The Award will be presented to the individual with the most points.
- If finalists are tied on points, the award will be given to the player who received the most first-choice selections.