FIFA, fresh from ending its partnership with France Football, on Monday evening made the Puskas award more competitive, listing out ten players for the prestigious award which rewards the best goal in the last one year.
Nominees include Lionel Messi who has been nominated for a curling, left-footed free kick in a Copa America Centenario semi-final game in June while Neymar was nominated for volleying a right-footed shot from his own looping flick for Barcelona against Villarreal.
Robson-Kanu, a favorite to win the award, created space by misdirecting three defenders with a Cruyff turn as Wales beat Belgium in Euro 2016 quarter finals.
See the full Puskas Awards nominee list below :
Mario Gaspar – 13/11/2015, Spain v England, friendly (Alicante)
Hlompho Kekana – 26/03/2016, Cameroon v South Africa, Africa Cup of Nations qualifier (Limbe, Cameroon)
Marlone – 21/04/2016, Corinthians v Cobresal, Copa Libertadores (São Paulo)
Lionel Messi – 21/06/2016, USA v Argentina, Copa América semi-finals (Houston)
Neymar – 08/11/2015, Barcelona v Villarreal, La Liga (Nou Camp)
Saúl Ñíguez – 27/04/2016, Atlético Madrid v Bayern Munich, Champions League (Vicente Calderón)
Hal Robson-Kanu – 01/07/2016, Wales v Belgium, Euro 2016 (Lille)
Daniuska Rodríguez – 14/03/2016, Venezuela v Colombia, South American Under-17s Womens’ Football Championship (Barquisimeto, Venezuela)
Simon Skrabb – 31/10/2015, Gefle v Atvidaberg, Allsvenskan league, Sweden
Mohd Faiz Subri – 16/02/2016, Penang v Pahang, Malaysia Super League
