Awards like FIFA 'The Best', FIFA Pro World XI and the Ballon d'Or have long celebrated excellence and are the most famous awards in the footballing world but one of the most exciting accolades apart from them is the Puskas Award.
Puskas Award was established on 20th October 2009 in order to award the best goal of the calendar year. It is in honor of the Hungarian striker, Ferenc Puskas. Ignoring the fact that Mohamed Salah bafflingly won it last year, it's a trophy awarded to the scorer of the best goal of the calendar year, regardless of where or what level it was scored at. Cristiano Ronaldo was the first player to win the Puskas in 2009 for his 40-yard stunner against Porto in the Champions League.
It might come as a surprise for many that the Argentinean star, Messi has never won it despite being nominated a record seven times. Neymar (5) is the player with 2nd most nominations, followed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic (4) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2).
Let's reflect on the seven Messi goals that have been previously nominated for the Puskas award:
1. vs Valencia - La Liga (2009)
A typical Messi goal as he swiftly dribbled past three Valencia players and scored past the goalkeeper beating him at the near post.
2. vs Arsenal - UEFA Champions League (2011)
Andres Iniesta was equally involved in this goal as he snatched the ball from Arsenal's defense and chips the ball through to Messi, eight yards away from the goal. Messi flicks the ball over Almunia and puts the ball into the empty net.
3. vs Brazil - Friendly (2012)
Messi picked the ball up near the right touchline just inside Brazil's half dribbling past Marcelo and ran at the defense, cutting to his left just as he reached the top of the box, and drove a high, curling banger into the top corner.
4. vs Athletic Bilbao - Copa Del Rey final (2015)
Messi easily dribbled past about five players like a child in the playground and finished his effort into the bottom corner past Herrin. This goal was the runner-up behind Wendell Lira in the Puskas Award for the year's best goal.
5. vs USA - Copa America Centenario (2016)
This is Messi's only freekick to be nominated for the Puskas award. Messi became Argentina's all-time top scorer by scoring past Guzan into the top right corner.
6. vs Nigeria - FIFA World Cup (2018)
It was the edition's 100th goal as Messi latched onto Banega's long ball over the top from 50 yards and scored past Uzoho with his right foot. Banega's assist was world-class and so was Messi's first touch.
7. vs Real Betis - La Liga (2019)
A truly bizarre goal as Messi chipped the goalkeeper from the left side of the box to the top right corner. The whole Benito Villamarin Stadium started applauding him after the goal. A special goal for the little magician. It is nominated for this year's Puskas Award and is the only goal from La Liga to make the shortlist this year.
