The FIFA Puskas Award is one of the most prestigious honors in football, given to the player who scores the most beautiful and memorable goal scored each year. Established in 2009, the award is named after the famous Hungarian and Real Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas.
There are key criteria for the award. Each year, the award honors the player who scores the most spectacular and aesthetically remarkable goal, regardless of gender, competition, or level of fame.
Also, the goal must not rely entirely on luck or errors by the opposing players. The player must not have committed a foul during the creation of the goal, and the goal must not have resulted from an offside position or other rule violation.
The goal must be visually spectacular. Of course, it must also be captured on film. The goal must resonate with fans worldwide. After FIFA shortlists the top goals based on these criteria, a panel of fans and experts from around the world cast their votes.
All Puskas Award winners
Cristiano Ronaldo was the first player in history to win the Puskas Award in 2009 for his 40-yard goal vs. Porto in the Champions League.
2009: Cristiano Ronaldo – Long-range strike
Cristiano Ronaldo won his first Puskas Award with a memorable long-range strike against FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League. From more than 40 yards out, Ronaldo fired a thunderous shot past the goalkeeper and into the top corner.
2010: Hamit Altıntop – Volley from a corner
Hamit Altıntop made history by winning the 2010 Puskas Award with a brilliant volley against Kazakhstan. After a perfectly executed corner kick, Altıntop struck the ball for the first time from the left edge of the penalty area, which went into the net.
The accuracy, technique, and power of this goal made it a great moment in international football and made him the winner of this prestigious award.
2011: Neymar – Solo dribble and finish
Neymar Jr. stunned the football world with a solo dribble and finish against Flamengo in 2011, which earned him the Puskas Award.
Picking up the ball near the halfway line, he beat several defenders with lightning-fast footwork and excellent close control before calmly guiding the ball past the goalkeeper. The goal showcased Neymar’s exceptional skill, creativity, and composure, cementing his reputation as one of the most exciting talents in world football.
2012: Miroslav Stoch – Volley from a corner
This is certainly one of the lesser-known and least-remembered Puskas Award winners. We’re talking about 2012 winner Miroslav Stoch. The reason for his victory?
A breathtaking volley against Genclerbirligi in the Turkish Super League made him a worthy winner of the most prestigious goal in football. Given a corner kick on the edge of the penalty area, Stoch timed his strike perfectly, unleashing a powerful volley that reached the top corner of the goal post and converted.
2013: Zlatan Ibrahimović – Overhead kick from distance
In one of the most audacious goals ever witnessed, Zlatan Ibrahimović stunned England with a breathtaking overhead kick from outside the box.
This remarkable feat not only secured the Puskás Award but also solidified Zlatan’s reputation as one of football’s most creative and fearless forwards.
2014: James Rodríguez – Chest control, volley
James Rodriguez was at his best at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He scored one of the most iconic goals in World Cup history against Uruguay.
From outside the penalty area, James controlled the ball with his chest and then sent a sensational left-footed volley into the net, just under the crossbar. That was how he crowned this delicious masterpiece in 2014. The World Cup’s VIP gallery cemented James’ place as one of those gems etched into history.
2015: Wendell Lira – Acrobatic finish
Wendel Lira was playing for Goiânia in Serie D. Wendel Lira won the Puskas Award for a stunning acrobatic goal during a match between Goiânia and Atlético-Go.
After a quick team move, Lira anticipated a lofted pass into the box, spun his body in the air, and executed a perfectly timed bicycle kick. The ball flew past the goalkeeper and into the net, an extraordinary finish that left fans in awe.
2016: Mohd Faiz Subri – Swerving free-kick
Meet Mohd Faiz Subri, one of the most impressive Puskas winners. He scored one of those goals that is impossible to deny. He did it in the Malaysian Super League, specifically in the match between Pulau Pinang and Pahang.
Taking the ball from a difficult angle, Subri struck the ball with such precision and spin that it dramatically spun in mid-air, sending the goalkeeper flying into the top corner. This amazing goal that defied the laws of physics became an internet sensation, showcasing the artistry and unpredictability of football at its best.
2017: Olivier Giroud – Scorpion kick
Olivier Giroud stunned the football world with a brilliant scorpion kick against Crystal Palace, which earned him the 2017 Puskas Award.
On a counterattack from Alexis Sanchez, who crossed at lightning speed, Giroud made a brilliant move to connect with a high cross from behind, using his heel to flick the ball over his head and off the crossbar into the net.
2018: Mohamed Salah – Curling left-footed strike
In 2018, for the second year in a row, the Puskas Award remained in the Premier League. Mohamed Salah‘s stunning left-footed strike against Everton in the Merseyside derby won him the 2018 Puskas Award.
Collecting the ball outside the box, Salah effortlessly beat defenders before firing a perfect shot into the top corner of the net.
2019: Dániel Zsóri – Overhead kick
The 2019 Puskas Award was won by Daniel Jasori at the age of 18. He beat the likes of Lionel Messi and Juan Fernando Quintero in the final bid. He made history by scoring an incredible goal with a sensational overhead kick on his debut for Debrecen against Ferencvaros.
In the 93rd minute, Zori produced a moment of brilliance, striking the ball perfectly into the air and scoring a stunning bicycle kick that flew into the net.
2020: Son Heung-min – Solo run from own half
Son Heung-min is one of the greatest Asian players of all time. And if he needed a goal to prove it, he did it in this extraordinary performance against Burnley in 2019. Son Heung-min’s breathtaking solo run against Burnley earned him the 2020 Puskas Award.
Starting from his penalty area, Son scored a world-class goal, beating several Burnley defenders with incredible speed and precision before calmly slotting past the goalkeeper.
2021: Erik Lamela – Rabona goal
Érik Lamela simple yet amazing goal vs Arsenal won the Puskas. It was the 13th goal to win that award.
2022: Marcin Oleksy – Acrobatic volley
An amputee, Marcin Oleksy’s unbelievable goal vs Stal Rzeszow won the Puskas. He’s the first ever disabled person to win this prestigious award and it was the 14th goal to win that Puskas.
2023: Guilherme Madruga – Overhead kick from outside the box
Guilherme Madruga’s incredible bicycle kick goal vs Novorizontino from outside the box won the Puskas. The 15th and last goal to win that award is up to date.
2024: Alejandro Garnacho – Spectacular bicycle kick
Alejandro Garnacho’s spectacular bicycle kick against Everton has won the 2024 FIFA Puskas Award.
