(Videos): FIFA Puskas Award: Mbappe, Richarlison, Balotelli Headline 2022 List, Messi Snubbed

Okeke George Chijioke
Jan 13, 2023
(Videos): FIFA Puskas Award: Mbappe, Richarlison, Balotelli Headline 2022 List, Messi Snubbed

FIFA has released the shortlist for the Puskas Award, which is given to the scorer of the best goal in 2022, with Kylian Mbappe, Richarlison and Mario Balotelli among the nominees.

Kylian Mbappe may not have won the 2022 World Cup, but his exceptional performance in the final against Argentina could be honoured in another way after he was nominated for the Puskas Award.

Mbappe became just the second player in history to score a hat-trick in the World Cup final by bringing France back from the brink to take the game to extra-time in Qatar. His team then fell short in the shoot-out as Argentina prevailed 4-2 to win the trophy in a drama-filled game.

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar took home a runners-up medal and the Golden Boot, for his eight goals across the tournament. And he has a chance at adding another award to his burgeoning collection, after FIFA announced the shortlist for the Puskas Award.

The Puskas Award, which is named after Hungary legend Ferenc Puskas, is given to the player deemed to have scored the best goal of the calendar year. FIFA have released the shortlist for 2022, with Mbappe up against well-known names like Mario Balotelli, Richarlison and Dimitri Payet – and some more obscure players.

(Videos): FIFA Puskas Award: Mbappe, Richarlison, Balotelli Headline 2022 List, Messi Snubbed

Mbappe is nominated for his second goal in the final, which brought the score to 2-2 in the 81st minute. Having netted a penalty to cut Argentina’s lead in half, he combined perfectly with Marcus Thuram nodding the ball back to his teammate before instinctively volleying the return pass into the bottom corner past Emiliano Martinez.

It was a fabulous piece of skill, performed on the biggest of all stages at an absolutely crucial time – a fact which may count in his favour among voters.

He is up against another stunning goal from the World Cup. Richarlison is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Son Heung-min (2020) and Erik Lamela (2021) and become the third successive player from Tottenham to win the award.

Here's a list of all the nominated goals, as compiled by Forbes: 

1) Kylian Mbappe (France) vs Argentina 

2. Richarlison (Brazil) vs Serbia 

3. Mario Balotelli (Adana Demirspor) vs Goztepe 

4. Amandine Henry (Lyon W) vs Barcelona W 

5. Alou Kuol (Australia U-23) vs Ira U-23 


6. Theo Hernandez (AC Milan) vs Atalanta 


7. Francisco Gonzalez Metilli (Central Cordoba) vs Rosario Central 

9. Dimitri Payet (Marseille) vs PAOK Thessaloniki


 10. Alessia Russo (England W) vs Sweden W Read 


11. Marcin Oleksy (Warta Pozman) vs Stal Rzeszow 

The winner will be announced on February 27, during the FIFA Best award ceremony in Paris. 


Source: SportsBrief

Okeke George Chijioke

Okeke George Chijioke

When you don't see Okeke George blogging, he sure will engage him self in sporting activities.

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