The nominees for the 2019 Puskas award have been revealed, with FIFA revealing the list on Monday, and it features a couple of household names. Ten players in total were chosen, with a certain Lionel Messi getting a nod.
The Argentine ace, who is one of the favorites for the Ballon d'Or prize, is in the race to win this award for the first time in his career. Despite a disappointing end to his 2018/19 campaign, La Pulga enjoyed a wonderful individual season and scored quite a few stunners.
One of his most memorable strikes last season was his epic free-kick goal in the Champions League against Liverpool. However, that is not the goal up for the Puskas.
Instead, his brilliant chip against Real Betis from the edge of the box in La Liga was nominated. It doesn't come as a huge surprise as that golazo in the 4-1 win earned him applause from the opposition fans and everyone on social media.
An angle only he could find...
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) August 19, 2019
This Leo Messi GOLAZO has been nominated for the 2019 Puskas Award. #LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/eD0WkPNrXt
However, the 32-year-old isn't the only big-name up for the award. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who continues making waves in Major League Soccer, was given a nod for his acrobatic 500th career goal.
Quagliarella, Quintero, and Townsend were also nominated. Cameroon's Ajara Nchout, who scored a brilliant injury-time winner against New Zealand in the recent FIFA Women's World Cup, is one of three ladies in the running for this prize. Check out all the goals nominated in the video below.
Congratulations to the #Puskas nominees
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) August 19, 2019
Matheus Cunha
@Ibra_official
Lionel Messi
@AjaraNjoya
@FQuagliarella27
@juanferquinte10
@AmyRodriguez8
@BillieS92973404
@andros_townsend
Daniel Zsori
Watch & vote https://t.co/LTrtozAzkS
OFFICIAL: @FIFAcom have released the nominees for the Puskas Award: pic.twitter.com/WJTykyeWsA
— 433 (@official433) August 19, 2019