Puskas Award 2015: Florenzi and Lira challenge Messi for crown
Published:
Lee Gormley | December 1, 2015
Puskas Award 2015 final three
- Lionel Messi, Alessandro Florenzi and Wendall Lira final three nominees
- The final three were picked from an initial list of 10 from FIFA
- James Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar are all former winners
Messi among three wonder goal nominees
The prestigious FIFA Puskas Award, named after Hungarian and Real Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas, is now in its seventh year, and 2015’s spectacular nominees have been shortened to just three players from an initial list of 10.
High-profile names such as Carlos Tevez and Philippe Mexes joined the likes of Fleetwood Town’s David Ball, USA women’s star Carli Lloyd and virtually unknown SC Paderborn midfielder Marcel Ndjeng on that previous 10-player shortlist.
Although, after much debate, either Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi, Roma ace Alessandro Florenzi or surprise inclusion Wendell Lira will take home the prestigious award for best goal of the year.
Messi, Barcelona
Another FIFA award and another Messi nomination, of course. The Argentine ace can’t have much room left in his ever-growing trophy cabinet, but he may have to find space after his dazzling solo goal against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final.
Although, this is one individual honour that has so far eluded Messi, with the likes of clubmate Neymar, Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo and PSG marksman Zlatan Ibrahimovic having all won it before. The Barca superstar is also odds-on 1/10 favourite with Coral for the Ballon d’Or, so he could ultimately have a silverware double to celebrate!
Florenzi, Roma
Roma’s Florenzi caused a European frenzy in their Champions League group stage clash with reigning champions Barcelona, with his strike from just inside the half-way line. The Italian’s goal is worth watching over and over again, unless you’re Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Florenzi’s Serie A side are 7/1 to lift the domestic title this season ahead of close rivals Inter Milan, Napoli and Fiorentina.
Lira, Goianesia
Twisting and turning in mid-air, Lira was able to incredibly fire in a bicycle-kick form close-range, after eye-catching attacking play with his Goianesia teammates in Brazil’s Goiano, the country’s third division.
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