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The FIFA Puskas Award celebrates the most incredible goals over the last 12 months. Nominees are considered from leagues around the world in both men's and women's football leagues and competitions which are licensed by FIFA.
Named after the extraordinary Hungarian footballer, Ferenc Puskas who played in arguably one of the greatest international teams to never win the World Cup during the 1940s and 1950s and scored 156 goals in only 180 appearances for Real Madrid, the 2018 nominees for the award were announced on Monday.
Among the nominees are spectacular goals from household names such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mo Salah, and Gareth Bale. However, the 10-player shortlist also features some more obscure goals from players that are relatively unknown.
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Last year, Oliver Giroud won the award for his outrageous scorpion kick against Crystal Palace with an impressive 36.17% of the total votes. This year, the winner will be decided on September 24th.
Below, we take a look at all 10 nominees for this year's award with videos for every goal.
#10 Gareth Bale (Real Madrid Vs Liverpool)
Last season's Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool was memorable for many reasons. However, the most special moment of the match came after 64 minutes when Gareth Bale gave his team a 2-1 lead with a breathtaking overhead kick.
The context and occasion for this goal make it one of the favorites to claim the award this year. Bale's ability to get up so high and slam the ball into the top corner with such accuracy is simply extraordinary.
Watch Gareth Bale's 2018 Puskas Award nominee goal below:
#9 Denis Cheryshev (Russia Vs Croatia)
Russia took everyone by surprise during the summer's World Cup, far exceeding expectations to make it all the way to the quarter-finals on home soil. In their last-eight fixture, they faced Croatia in an extremely difficult match.
However, home hero, Denis Cheryshev opened the scoring for the hosts with an absolute stunner from outside the box. The goal was the result of a beautiful one-two with Cheryshev at the heart of the build-up as well as the finish for this nominee.
Watch Denis Cheryshev's 2018 Puskas Award nominee goal below:
#8 Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (AEK Athens Vs Olympiakos)
This nomination comes from the Superleague in Greece during last season's matchup between rivals AEK Athens and Olympiakos. Both teams are fierce rivals and in this particular game, Olympiacos were winning 2-1.
That was until Christodoulopoulos stepped up to take a free kick. Lining up from way outside the box, the Greek smashed the ball at an incredible 100km/hour straight into the top right-hand corner of the net. A stunning strike.
Watch Lazaros Christodoulopoulos's 2018 Puskas Award nominee goal below:
#7 Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Cruzeiro Vs America Mineiro)
Moving to South America now and it is only natural that a goal from the Brazilian league features on the list of nominees. The goal takes place during a clash between Cruzeiro and America Mineiro in the local Campeonato Mineiro league tournament.
Uruguayan, Giorgian De Arrascaeta almost kung-fu kicks the ball into the top corner from a standard cross to give his team the lead. The pure athleticism required to perform such a skill is incredible and the finish is absolutely perfect.
Watch Giorgian De Arrascaeta's 2018 Puskas Award nominee goal below:
#6 Riley McGree (Newcastle Jets Vs Melbourne City)
This nominee comes from the Australian A-League in a clash between Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City. Melbourne was leading 1-0 and it seemed like the home side was heading for a defeat until an extraordinary sequence of play happened.
Melbourne failed to clear their lines and the ball was collected by Newcastle who tried to open the City defense with some intricate play. The final pass fell behind McGree at hip height and the Australian clipped the ball with the back of his heel for a jaw-dropping scorpion kick.
Watch Ryan McGree's 2018 Puskas Award nominee goal below:
#5 Lionel Messi (Argentina Vs Nigeria)
The summer's World Cup was kind to us and there are several nominations from the tournament for this year's Puskas Award. This nomination comes from one of the world's best players - Lionel Messi.
During Argentina's group clash with Nigeria, the Barcelona forward controls a long pass exquisitely with his chest before taking the ball down and finishing into the left corner of the net. The speed and control of this goal make it a worthy nomination.
Watch Lionel Messi's 2018 Puskas Award nominee goal below:
#4 Benjamin Pavard (France Vs Argentina)
In arguably the best match of the World Cup between France and Argentina, the eventual winners were trailing 2-1 in the round of 16 clash. However, Benjamin Pavard was about to level the score and kickstart and help France on their way to the trophy.
The right-back found himself on the edge of the box as a cross came flying over. Measuring himself, Pavard struck the ball with pace, accuracy, and power into the top of the net sparking mass celebrations. The goal was voted as the best of the World Cup.
Watch Benjamin Pavard's 2018 Puskas Award nominee goal below:
#3 Ricardo Quaresma (Portugal Vs Iran)
The final World Cup nominated goal comes from veteran Portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma. Portugal was being held in the group stages by Iran before the 34-year-old stepped up with a goal he has made his own throughout his career.
Called the "Trivela", Quaresma struck the ball with the outside of his right boot from the edge of the penalty box, sending the ball flying past the Iran goalkeeper and into the top corner. A simply stunning goal which fully deserves a nomination for the Puskas Award.
Watch Ricardo Quaresma's 2018 Puskas Award nominee goal below:
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid Vs Juventus)
It is ironic that Cristiano Ronaldo is nominated for a goal scored against his new club, however, this is simply one of the most astonishing feats witness on a football field. The goal took place during the Champions League quarter-final clash in Turin last season with Los Blancos winning 1-0 at the time.
A high cross comes into the box and somehow Cristiano manages to get himself up above shoulder height for an exceptional bicycle kick. The reaction from Zinedine Zidane says everything you need to know about the sheer brilliance of this goal.
Watch Cristiano Ronaldo's 2018 Puskas Award nominee goal below:
#1 Mo Salah (Liverpool Vs Everton)
After an extraordinary season, it is no surprise to see one of Mo Salah's goals among the nominations for this year's Puskas award. The chosen goal came during the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield.
With the scores deadlocked, Salah found himself in the box surrounded by Everton defenders. The Egyptian somehow manages to lift the ball over Pickford and into the far top corner to give Liverpool the lead. Incredible skill and a very important goal for his team.
Watch Mo Salah's 2018 Puskas Award nominee goal below:
You can watch all of the nominations for the FIFA Puskas Award again on FIFA's YouTube channel.
Which goal deserves to win the 2018 Puskas Award? Let us know in the comments below.
