MX23RW : Friday, November 22 15:11:29| >> :120:17166:17166:

Sports Mole's FIFA Puskas Award verdict

Sports Mole ranks the 10 goals that have been nominated for this year's FIFA Puskas Award.

As far as FIFA's Ballon d'Or title goes, each year it's normally clear which player is going to win the coveted prize.

However, the beauty of the Puskas Award is that it can literally be won by any footballer, regardless of ability.

Here, Sports Mole has ranked the 10 goals, scored between October 2013 and September of this year, that have been nominated for the accolade, which was established back in 2009.


10. Camilo Sanvezzo (Vancouver Whitecaps)

When executed correctly, there are few better sights in football than a scissor-kick goal. Here, Brazilian playmaker Sanvezzo rescued a point for the Whitecaps against the Portland Timbers when he powered an acrobatic effort from just inside the penalty area into the bottom corner of the net.



9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain)

The big Swede was an unranked nominee in 2012 and he went on to win it last year with his goal from distance against England. This time around, the PSG frontman is back. Standing with his back to goal and being closely marked, it seemed logical for the centre-forward to bring down a high ball. In true Ibrahimovic fashion, though, he somehow flicked the ball into the far corner with his heel.



8. Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)

The Spanish champions scored seven goals against Getafe at the Vicente Calderon, but Chelsea-bound Costa fired in the pick of the bunch. In scoring his 36 goals last term, the Spanish international often showed great predatory instincts, but here he displayed athleticism as his overhead kick left the visiting goalkeeper rooted to the spot.



7. Hisato Sato (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)

As the ball was rolled into the Japanese striker with his back to goal, two opposition defenders approached. Yet, before either could steal back possession, Sato had flicked the ball up and then sent a looping volley over a stranded and bemused goalkeeper.



6. Robin van Persie (Netherlands)

Never has the term 'The Flying Dutchman' been so apt. The Netherlands captain managed to throw himself forward and arch his back enough all in one motion to meet Daley Blind's lofted pass. From there, the Manchester United striker managed to divert his diving header into the top corner of Iker Casillas's net, which sparked a memorable comeback from the Dutch.



5. Tim Cahill (Australia)

There was noting subtle about this goal, but that shouldn't take anything away from it. The cross into the box appeared to be speculative at best, but with his eyes firmly fixed on the ball, veteran Aussie Cahill lashed a volley into the net via the underside of the Dutch crossbar.



4. Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul)

There was bit of everything in this goal from the Mexican. First, the touch was near perfect and then he showed good strength to hold off his marker. After that, Fabian showed both great awareness and quality to chip the ball into the far corner of the net. He then produced a celebration to rival Marco Tardelli of 1982.



3. Stephanie Roche (Peamount United)

If this goal had been scored by the likes of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, it would be spoken about for years and years to come. When the ball arrived in Roche's vicinity 25 yards from goal, it didn't touch the ground again until it had nestled in the back of the net. The first touch sent her left, while her second saw her switch back in the opposite direction. It was then rounded off by the coolest of volleys.



2. Pajtim Kasami (Fulham)

The 2013-14 Premier League campaign may have been a disappointing one for Fulham, who were relegated, but there was a moment to remember courtesy of Kasami at Selhurst Park. Running from deep, the midfielder controlled the ball on his chest and despite running away from the target, he launched an instant volley over Julian Speroni.



1. James Rodriguez (Colombia)

It seemed a sure bet that Van Persie's headed effort would be voted the Goal of the Tournament at the summer's World Cup, but it wasn't to be. In the second round against Uruguay, Colombia's Rodriguez, who lit up the competition, sent a left-footed volley from 25 yards out into the net with the help of the woodwork. A goal of that standard alerted Real Madrid, who signed the 23-year-old from Monaco for a reported £60m.



FIFA will whittle the shortlist down to just three goals on December 1, before the winner is announced at a gala ceremony in Zurich on January, 12 2015.ID:188867: cacheID:188867:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7677:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Juan Mata of Manchester United celebrates scoring the first goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Crystal Palace on November 8, 2014
Read Next:
Match Analysis: Man United 1-0 Crystal Palace
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Steelers
19-24
Browns
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!