It is now time to go in depth into a particular highlight of my own footballing year - The Ferenc Puskás Award for the elected 'best goal' of the 2011 calender year. It commenced in 2009 and has been won by Cristiano Ronaldo whilst at Manchester United and Hamit Altintop for his national side Turkey in 2010.
The goal is open to vote for around a month and a half for the whole world alike - and whatever type of goals float your boat - long-range, acrobatic, vital or just technically brilliant, it is a great opportunity to witness moments of genius from around the entire globe. Even from locations that perhaps, without this award would go unnoticed and unrecognised.
Here is this year's full 10 nominees and the descending order I myself would place them:
10). Heather O'Reilly - United States 3-0 Columbia - Always difficult in such a list to give 'last-place' to someone and if it wasn't for the total lacklustre in the opposition play - only second ever female nominee - O'Reilly would have found herself a lot higher. The shocking defending from the Columbian lady saw the ball roll perfectly into her path but what she did with it was still out of this world. Right from the centre of her laces she hit such a venomous first time shot it arrowed straight into the top corner from an impressively acute right angle. The accuracy was frightening and there is no doubt she deserves her spot inside the top 10.
9). Zlatan Imbrahimovic - AC Milan 1-1 Lecce - Not a great start for the long distance efforts in this years list. Zlatan's effort like O'Reilly's before it - was a good 30 yards + from goal - yet it just didn't give me that complete 'Wow!' factor that would of saw it higher up. In fact goals from distance are becoming more common in football everywhere and perhaps in would take a goal of the most dramatic context, from a great length out to tempt me to a higher placing. The charismatic Swede still made it his own though - by showing uncharacteristic acceleration as well as his well-know upper body strength before without any real glimpse at the Lecce goal hit an exquisite, floated volley perfectly over his head with that left foot that's produced so many of these moments over the years.
8). Benjamin De Ceulaer - Lokeren 1-2 Club Brugge - This goal could fit nicely into the category mentioned early as 'insanely brilliant yet never shared by the masses'. Very Dennis Bergkamp v Newcastle esque - De Ceulaer has deservedly found himself in this list alongside all of football's biggest stars for his single perhaps, career defining moment of brilliance - and perhaps not a bad place to hit it in Belgium, against giants Club Brugge! The play was quite squeezed as a defender managed to spread a ball out to the Lokoren winger, who in-turn picked his moment to feed new hero Benjamin inside the area - he produced one of the most difficult, technically beautiful touches known to our game - to skin his defender and despite being held back by the shirt from the same man, was able to poke an adequate volleyed finish behind Brugge's stopper. Phenomenal!
7). Lionel Messi - Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal - Our second 'huge, world-class' name of the list, although with all respect to the Swedish talisman from earlier, young Leo Messi is in a League of his own - and deserves everything he goes on to win. Here though, is a classic example of how a seeming 'nobody' from the world of football can go on to grace the same stage and even out-class the very best there is - arguably ever. What Messi has going for him here is occasion, UEFA Champions League knockout stage v Arsenal, not a bad time to bring out one of the many mind-blowing moments of your career (and the second of his 'Puskas award career'). Messi owes a lot to now-team mate Cesc Fabregas here as the Arsenal skipper kindly back-heals the ball straight into the path of fellow wizard Andres Iniesta - who dances through a couple of outstretched legs before the most perfect of through balls into the Argentine's path - with Messi's first touch he quickly saw Manuel Almunia straight at his feet - this was where that 'flick' came in, the deftest of touches just to touch the ball over Arsenal's stopper was magnificent and took a lot of nerve. A fabulous Messi moment.
6). Julio Gomez - Mexico 2-3 Germany - Ok, nothing against you here for first thinking '1) Who is he?! & 2) That goal is special but doesn't look too special' well - here's the story. Mexico are level 2-2 in the U-17 World Cup Semi-Final's to Germany and are heading to extra time. Having used all subs, brave Gomez goes up for a header to attempt to level things but only succeeds in cracking his skull to the result of 27 (YES 27!) stitches. After using all 3 subs, he changed his bloody shirt, spent 15 minutes getting 'repaired' and trudges back on for the last few minutes. Into time added on he lounged at the back-stick for a corner from the right, which reached him and he met with a perfect over-head kick, flying in the air with both feet off the ground. Considering considerable damage to his skull - this goal took so much technique but also much heart and courage, willing to try anything for his country to get them through. The lad was 16 at the time, and to achieve something in such circumstances is quite unbelievable!
So, 5 down - 5 to go. Agree so far? I know - it's a tough one.
With an annual collection of such great goals compiling this has been one of my toughest challenges so far. Catch up in a couple of days for the final results!
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