Messi weaves his mazy magic - FIFA PUSKÁS AWARD
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| CopyHardNews / Reprodução |
The presentation of the FIFA Puskás Award is always one of the highlights of the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala. Next year’s event is sure to be no exception, and you can play your part in deciding who collects the coveted award by voting – between now and 30 November – for your favourite goal from the list of ten candidates.
The top three goals voted for by you, the users of FIFA.com, and by the readers of francefootball.fr will then be shortlisted for the award, with the winner being announced at the 2016 Gala on 11 January.
One of the year’s most stunning strikes was Lionel Messi’s electrifying solo effort against Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey on 30 May 2015. “I don’t think I’m quite aware of just how great a goal Leo’s was. I just want to go home and enjoy it,” said Barcelona coach Luis Enrique after his side’s 3-1 win at the Camp Nou.
It was a goal that came with 19 minutes on the clock and the game still scoreless. Picking up possession wide on the right, a few yards inside the Bilbao half, Messi showed the ball to Mikel Balenziaga, his man-marker for the night, feinted inside and then cut back on the outside before haring down the flank with Balenziaga in hot pursuit.
In the meantime, Benat Etxebarria and Mikel Rico drifted across in a bid to intercept the speeding Argentinian, but it was all to no avail. After shimmying past Benat, Messi beat Balenziaga again and then left Rico trailing in his wake as he surged into the penalty area. Waiting for him there, attempting to show him the outside, was Aymeric Laporte. Messi had other ideas, however, dancing back on the inside and firing a firm low drive just inside Iago Herrerin’s near post.
Commentators the world over were left practically speechless by Messi’s latest act of wizardry. “I can’t believe it. How did you do that?” gasped one Latin American commentator. “What have you done? It’s crazy,” said an Italian colleague. “It’s a work of art,” exclaimed a Brazilian reporter, while a disbelieving Spanish commentator was left asking, “Where did this Martian come from?” Within minutes, the Argentinian’s masterpiece was being shared on thousands upon thousands of devices around the world.
You can vote for the ten contenders, including Messi’s sublime strike, through to 30 November. Watch it again, along with the other nine wonder goals, on FIFA.com and FIFA’s YouTube channel and then cast your vote to help decide which three goals will make the final shortlist for the 2015 FIFA Puskás Award.