FIFA Puskás : Ronaldo, Garnacho, see EPL Players to Win Award

The FIFA Puskás Award since its inception in 2009, has celebrated some of football’s most breathtaking goals. Over the years, several Premier League players have claimed this prestigious award, showcasing moments of brilliance that captures skill, creativity, and audacity. Let’s delve deeper into these goals, analyzing their significance and execution, and determine the most outstanding of them all.

Cristiano Ronaldo (2009)

Goal Description: A lightening 40-yard strike that swerved and dipped before crashing into the top corner.

Date and Competition: April 15, 2009, during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg.

Opponent Team: FC Porto.

Analysis:
Ronaldo, then playing for Manchester United, picked up the ball 40 yards from goal. Without hesitation, he unleashed a ferocious strike. The sheer power and swerve on the ball rendered the Porto goalkeeper helpless. This goal was not only spectacular but also crucial, as it sent Manchester United into the semi-finals. It highlighted Ronaldo’s ability to score from impossible distances, demonstrating his technical ability and confidence under pressure.

Olivier Giroud (2017)

Goal Description: A scorpion kick where Giroud flicked the ball with his left heel over his head and into the net off the crossbar.

Date and Competition: January 1, 2017, in a Premier League match.

Opponent Team: Crystal Palace.

Analysis:
During a fast-paced counterattack, Alexis Sánchez delivered a slightly over-hit cross from the left. Adjusting to the ball’s awkward height, Giroud instinctively performed a scorpion kick, redirecting the ball into the top corner. The precision, improvisation, and execution were outstanding, and the ball striking the underside of the crossbar added to its beauty. Giroud described it as the best goal of his career, and it remains one of the Premier League’s most iconic moments.

Mohamed Salah (2018)

Goal Description: A left-footed curler from the edge of the box that found the top corner.

Date and Competition: December 10, 2017, in a Premier League match.

Opponent Team: Everton.

Analysis:
In a Merseyside Derby, Salah showcased his exceptional dribbling ability by weaving past multiple Everton defenders before curling a sublime left-footed shot into the far corner. The goal highlighted his balance, agility, and finishing prowess. It was a moment of brilliance in a high-stakes rivalry, cementing Salah’s status as one of the league’s top performers during his record-breaking 2017/18 season. However, critics have called out his goal as not suitable for the award but Ronaldo’s overhead kick in the champions league quaterfinals against Juventus

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Son Heung-min (2020)

Goal Description: A solo goal involving a 70-meter run from deep in his own half, finishing with a composed strike.

Date and Competition: December 7, 2019, in a Premier League match.

Opponent Team: Burnley.

Analysis:
Son collected the ball near Tottenham’s penalty area, and what followed was a blend of pace, control, and determination. Sprinting past several Burnley players, Son’s run was relentless as he dribbled over half the pitch, evading desperate challenges before calmly slotting the ball into the net. The goal was hailed as one of the best solo efforts in Premier League history, demonstrating Son’s incredible athleticism and technical ability.

Erik Lamela (2021)

Goal Description: A rabona kick from the edge of the box that threaded through defenders into the bottom corner.

Date and Competition: March 14, 2021, in a Premier League match.

Opponent: Arsenal.

Analysis:
In the North London Derby, Lamela produced a moment of audacity and brilliance. Positioned on the edge of the box and with little room to maneuver, he opted for a rabona—a cross-legged shot—to send the ball past a crowded defense into the bottom corner. The goal was as cheeky as it was technically flawless, showcasing Lamela’s creativity and composure under pressure. Despite Tottenham losing the match, the goal remains unforgettable.

Alejandro Garnacho (2024)

Goal Description: A spectacular bicycle kick from inside the box, arrowed into the net with precision.

Date and Competition: November 2023, in a Premier League match.

Opponent Team: Everton.

Analysis:
Garnacho’s acrobatic effort came from a looping cross that seemed to lack immediate threat. The young Manchester United forward adjusted his body perfectly, leaping into the air and executing a textbook bicycle kick. The strike was both athletic and technically perfect, with the ball flying past the goalkeeper into the top corner. It was a goal that reminded fans of similar efforts by legends like Wayne Rooney, earning Garnacho a well-deserved Puskás Award.

Analyzing the Best Goal

While each goal stands out for its uniqueness, Son Heung-min’s solo effort against Burnley arguably edges out the competition. The reason lies in its combination of physical and technical excellence. Son’s goal was not just a showcase of speed but also of composure, balance, and clinical finishing. Covering over 70 meters, evading numerous defenders, and maintaining control throughout is a feat rarely seen in football.

However, Giroud’s scorpion kick and Lamela’s rabona are close contenders for their technical brilliance and creativity. Giroud’s goal, in particular, represents one of the finest improvisational moments in the sport.

Conclusion

The FIFA Puskás Award celebrates the artistry of football, and the Premier League has consistently provided a stage for such moments of magic. From Ronaldo’s long-range strike to Son’s solo run, each goal reflects a different facet of football brilliance. While personal preference may vary, Son Heung-min’s goal against Burnley epitomizes the beauty of the game—skill, determination, and a touch of genius.