Does the Overhead Kick Have a Stranglehold on the FIFA Puskas Award?

The FIFA Puskas Award, given to the best goal of the year, has seen a peculiar trend emerge in recent years. For the fourth consecutive year, a bicycle kick has taken home the honor, with Independiente’s Santiago Montiel being the latest recipient. His spectacular effort in a match against Independiente Rivadavia in May has been crowned the best goal of the year, beating out competition from 10 other nominees, including Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Barcelona‘s Lamine Yamal.

Details

Montiel’s goal, which saw him launch himself into the air and loop an acrobatic effort over the goalkeeper, was a moment of extraordinary opportunism. The 28-year-old right-back shrugged off his marker and found space on the right side of the penalty area, just outside the D, with his back to goal. The goal was a testament to Montiel’s athleticism and skill, and it’s a wonder that it didn’t win the award in a landslide.
However, the dominance of the bicycle kick in the Puskas Award is a concerning trend. The award prioritizes the final shot over the moments leading up to it, which can lead to some truly exceptional goals being overlooked. Lamine Yamal’s goal against Espanyol, for example, was a trademark effort from the Spanish prodigy, but his strike in Barcelona’s thrilling 3-3 Champions League semi-final draw against Inter Milan was both more memorable and technically superior.

The Problem with the Puskas Award

The Puskas Award has become a victim of its own success. The award’s emphasis on the final shot has led to a lack of variety in the goals that are nominated. Instinctive volleys and overhead kicks crowd out almost everything else, leaving some truly exceptional goals to be overlooked. Team goals, in particular, are often overlooked, with goals built on flawless cohesion, constant movement, and pinpoint precision being deemed unworthy of inclusion.

A Call for Change

The Puskas Award should not be the preserve of elite players and teams. It’s refreshing that an extraordinary strike from someone as unheralded as Montiel can be catapulted into the public consciousness. However, perhaps it’s time that the bicycle kick was brought back down to earth. The award should prioritize goals that showcase exceptional skill, creativity, and teamwork, rather than just relying on the final shot.

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