The FIFA Puskas Award was first introduced back in 2009 and it has gone on to become one of the most popular football awards around. The prize is awarded to the footballer who has scored the ‘best' goal of the calendar year, as voted for by fans and FIFA-accredited pundits.
Last year, the award was won by Guilherme Madruga for his acrobatic strike against Novorizontino in the second tier of Brazilian football. Ahead of the 2024 Puskas Award, let's take a look at the top contenders and the strikes that have given them a shot of winning the prestigious prize.
FIFA Puskas Award contenders: Six of the best
Alejandro Garnacho vs Everton (Favourite)
The current frontrunner for the 2024 Puskas Award is Alejandro Garnacho for his goal against Everton at the back end of 2023. Garnacho's wonderstrike at Goodison Park just missed out on being eligible for last year's award which means it will be in the running for the award this year instead.
Gary Neville called it the best overhead kick he has ever seen and it's a statement difficult to argue against. The teenager has all the ingredients to become one of the best attacking players in the world and all of that talent was on show here.
Unsurprisingly, it was voted the 2023/24 Premier League goal of the season.
WHAT A GOAL ALEJANDRO GARNACHO!!!! 🤯🤯🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/L9h1inY5rT
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 26, 2023
Moises Caicedo vs Bournemouth
Another goal scored in the Premier League during the 2023/24 is in the running for the 2024 Puskas Award. Chelsea midfielder, Moises Caicedo, may have had a disappointing debut campaign at Stamford Bridge but this strike from the halfway line against Bournemouth in May was certainly a high point.
Although the Ecuadorian was helped by the Neto being well outside of his box after coming out to sweep an earlier attack, there was still plenty of work that needed to be done and he executed it perfectly.
🇪🇨🤯 Moises Caicedo scores from the halfway line… 🎯
It's his first Premier League goal since September 4, 2022. 🗓️pic.twitter.com/4PHAinka8I
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) May 20, 2024
Jaden Philogene vs Rotherham
Jaden Philogene scored arguably the most skilful goal of the season for Hull City in a match against Rotherham back in February. The exciting young forward picked up the ball inside the box, went past a defender before checking back and hitting a rabona finish over the head of the helpless goalkeeper.
The only thing that works against Philogene is the fact that the ball took a slight deflection on the way through which doesn't usually sit well with Puskas voters. Regardless, the 22-year-old is an exciting talent and will be one to watch next season.
Jaden, that is 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀 🤯#hcafc | @McVities pic.twitter.com/tjo5RipQtG
— Hull City (@HullCity) February 13, 2024
Thiago Santana vs FC Tokyo
To win the Puskas award you don't have to be the biggest name playing for a big club in a big league, you just simply have to score an outrageous goal. Thiago Santana of the Urawe Red Diamonds in the J League did exactly that earlier in the year when he scored a wondergoal from the halfway line against FC Tokyo.
Santana's strike is arguably more impressive than Caicedo's halfway-line effort as the goalkeeper was inside the box when he took the shot and he had to hit it on the run after carrying the ball at pace through his own half.
WHAT A GOAL! Thiago Santana stuns with a half-field strike for Urawa Reds in the 24th minute!
FC Tokyo 0 – [1] Urawa Reds
LIVE on https://t.co/3kplHAJOrl#JLEAGUE pic.twitter.com/4NgR6lzutv
— J.LEAGUE Official (English) (@J_League_En) April 3, 2024
Lamine Yamal vs France
Lamine Yamal is very much the man of the moment after playing a leading role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph at the ripe old age of 16. Yamal's strike against France may not look like anything ‘overly' spectacular but when you consider the context, it's certainly given him a chance of winning the Puskas award.
Firstly, it was the goal that brought Spain level against France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals and secondly, it was the goal that made him the youngest-ever goalscorer at a European Championships.
🚨🚨| 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋: Lamine Yamal's strike vs France has been named EURO 2024 Goal of the Tournament! 🇪🇦🚀 pic.twitter.com/d3HdbMR1qC
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) July 16, 2024
Geovany Quenda vs Morocco u17s
Sporting Lisbon's Geovany Quena is following a more traditional pathway through to men's football than the aforementioned Lamine Yamal, but the 17-year-old is also in contention for the 2024 Puskas Award thanks to his goal for Portugal u17s against Morocco u17s.
Quenda dribbled past several Moroccan defenders before finishing with aplomb, making it the most Messi-like goal of the year. The teenager is certainly one to keep an eye on in the coming years.
Stop that Geovany Quenda. pic.twitter.com/bn1d4tS2Ik
— Stop That Football (@stopthatfooty) September 12, 2023
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