Puskas Award 2021: the sublime goals that put Manchester City’s Mahrez & Weir in line for top goal accolade

The winner of the top goal prize will be announced on 17 January 2022 at The Best FIFA Football Awards.
Michael Plant
By Michael Plant
Published 30th Nov 2021, 11:01 BST
Riyad Mahrez has been nominated for the 2021 Puskas Awards. Credit: Getty.Riyad Mahrez has been nominated for the 2021 Puskas Awards. Credit: Getty.
Riyad Mahrez has been nominated for the 2021 Puskas Awards. Credit: Getty.

Manchester City players Riyad Mahrez and Caroline Weir have been nominated for the 2021 Puskas Award.

The prize is given out annually for the best goal of the last 12 months, with FIFA saying it is for the ‘player judged to have scored the most aesthetically significant goal, regardless of championship, gender or nationality and scored without the result of luck or a mistake and in support of fair play’.

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Mahrez’s selection comes from his sublime solo goal for Algeria against Zimbabwe last November. During the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Mahrez controlled the ball with his heel, advanced into box, before twice turning the defender and firing home with his weaker right foot.

As for WSL player Weir, her strike came against Manchester United, when the Scotland international collected the ball at the edge of the area and then nonchalantly chipped goalkeeper Mary Earps.

Caroline Weir could win for her audacious chipped effort against Manchester United. Credit: Getty.Caroline Weir could win for her audacious chipped effort against Manchester United. Credit: Getty.
Caroline Weir could win for her audacious chipped effort against Manchester United. Credit: Getty.

Included in the 11-strong list is Erik Lamela’s rabona effort in the North-London derby, as well as Patrick Schick’s unforgettable strike from just inside his opposition half during Czech Republic’s Euro 2020 win over Scotland.

City fans can vote for Mahrez and Weir here, and also view the full list of candidates.

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The winner will be announced at The Best FIFA Football Awards in Zurich on 17 January 17 2022.

Full list of nominees

  • Luis Diaz (Colombia v Brazil, Copa America, June 2021)
  • Gauthier Hein (Chamois Niortais v Auxerre, Ligue 2, April 2021)
  • Erik Lamela (Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, March 2021)
  • Valentino Lazaro (Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Moenchengladbach, Bundesliga, November 2020)
  • Riyad Mahrez (Zimbabwe v Algeria, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, November 2020)
  • Sandra Owusu-Ansah (Kumasi Sports Academy Ladies v Supreme Ladies, Ghana Women’s Premier League, May 2021)
  • Vangelis Pavlidis (Willem II v Fortuna Sittard, Eredisivie, May 2021)
  • Daniela Sanchez (Queretaro v Atletico de San Luis, Liga MX Femenil, January 2021)
  • Patrik Schick (Czech Republic vs Scotland, Euro 2020, June 2021)
  • Mehdi Taremi (Chelsea vs Porto, Champions League, April 2021)
  • Caroline Weir (Manchester City Women vs Manchester United Women, February 2021)
Related topics:Scotland

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