GOAL OF GLORY: Have Ronaldo or Messi Ever Claimed the Coveted Puskas Award?
THE PUSKAS AWARD: HAS RONALDO OR MESSI EVER WON FOOTBALL'S TOP GOAL HONOUR?
The Puskas Award is one of the most coveted individual prizes in football, recognizing the player who scores the most spectacular goal of the year. Since its inception in 2009, the award has been dominated by two of the greatest players of our time: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
RONALDO'S PUSKAS AWARD HISTORY
Cristiano Ronaldo made history by becoming the first-ever winner of the Puskas Award in 2009. His stunning 40-yard strike against Porto in the Champions League earned him the top honour. Although he's been nominated only once more in 2018, Ronaldo's impressive goal-scoring record makes him a perennial contender for the award.
MESSI'S PUSKAS AWARD HISTORY
Lionel Messi, on the other hand, is yet to win the Puskas Award despite being nominated a remarkable seven times. He's finished runner-up twice, first in 2011 behind Neymar and again in 2015 behind Wendell Lira. With time running out, Messi will be eager to add the Puskas Award to his impressive trophy cabinet.
PUSKAS AWARD WINNERS: A LIST OF THE BEST GOALS IN FOOTBALL
From Cristiano Ronaldo's inaugural win to Mohamed Salah's stunning strike in 2018, the Puskas Award has recognized some of the most incredible goals in football history.
| Year | Player | Team | Match / Goal |
| 2023 | Guilherme Madruga | Botafogo | vs. Novorizontino (1-0) |
| 2022 | Marcin Oleksy | Warta Poznan | vs. Stal Rzeszow (1-0) |
| 2021 | Erik Lamela | Tottenham | vs. Arsenal (1-0) |
| 2020 | Son Heung-Min | Tottenham | vs. Burnley (3-0) |
| 2019 | Daniel Zsori | Debrecen | vs. Ferencvaros (2-1) |
| 2018 | Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | vs. Everton (1-0) |
| 2017 | Oliver Giroud | Arsenal | vs. Crystal Palace (1-0) |
| 2016 | Mohd Faiz Subri | Penang | vs. Pahang (4-1) |
| 2015 | Wendell Lira | Goianesia | vs. Atletico Goianiense (1-0) |
| 2014 | James Rodriguez | Colombia | vs. Uruguay (1-0) |
| 2013 | Zlatan Ibrahimovic | Sweden | vs. England (4-2) |
| 2012 | Miroslav Stoch | Fenerbahce | vs. Genclerbirligi (6-1) |
| 2011 | Neymar | Santos | vs. Flamengo (4-5) |
| 2010 | Hamit Altintop | Turkey | vs. Kazakhstan (2-0) |
| 2009 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Man United | vs. Porto (1-0) |
THE LEGACY OF FERENC PUSKAS
The Puskas Award is named after the legendary Hungarian forward Ferenc Puskas, widely regarded as one of the greatest goalscorers of all time. With 514 goals in his career, Puskas's legacy continues to inspire footballers around the world.
Will Ronaldo or Messi finally claim the Puskas Award, or will a new star emerge to take the honour? One thing's for sure – the Puskas Award will continue to recognize the most breathtaking goals in football.
Henry
just love writing about football and playing video games, love my quiet time also. contact me @ [email protected]
