2024 FIFA Puskas Award: Who is The Favourite to Win
The Puskás Award: Honoring the Most Beautiful Goals in Football
The FIFA Puskás Award, introduced in 2009, is one of football's most prestigious individual accolades, celebrating the most beautiful goal scored in a calendar year. Named after the legendary Hungarian forward Ferenc Puskás, known for his incredible skill and prolific scoring, the award embodies creativity, precision, and flair on the pitch.
The selection process involves several stages. An expert FIFA panel narrows down a shortlist of spectacular goals from all levels of professional football, ensuring inclusivity across leagues and competitions. Fans worldwide then vote online to determine the top three goals. Finally, the FIFA Technical Committee selects the winner from this trio.
Goals are judged on criteria such as aesthetic quality, difficulty, and fairness of play. For instance, the absence of luck or significant defensive errors contributes to the credibility of a goal's brilliance. Memorable winners include Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning bicycle kick for Real Madrid against Juventus in 2018 and Mohamed Salah’s curling effort in the Merseyside Derby in 2017.
The Puskás Award not only honours individual brilliance but also emphasizes football's universal appeal. It provides fans with a moment of unity as they marvel at feats of skill that transcend cultural and national divides. Additionally, it highlights lesser-known players, giving global recognition to talents outside the sport's major leagues.
Over the years, the Puskás Award has become a testament to football's artistry. It reminds us that beyond the scores and statistics, the beauty of the game lies in moments of sheer genius, immortalized through unforgettable goals. For players and fans alike, the award serves as a celebration of football's ability to inspire and captivate.
