American woman and Messi toss-up for top prize
American women’s star Carli Lloyd will take on Lionel Messi for the
Puskas Award, the prize for the best goal of the year, world governing
body FIFA said Friday.
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Carli Lloyd |
Lionel Messi |
National captain Lloyd scored a hat-trick as the United States
defeated Japan 5-2 in July’s World Cup final in Vancouver with one of
the goals a spectacular lob from the centre of the pitch.
Lloyd, already the favourite for the women’s Ballon d’Or award, is
looking to succeed another woman, Stephanie Roche of Ireland, who won
last year’s Puskas Award.
Messi has been nominated for his goal for Barcelona against Athletic
Bilbao in the Spanish Cup final which saw the Argentine star weave his
way past four defenders as well as the goalkeeper before scoring.
There are 10 nominees for goal of the year with the winner announced
at the Ballon d’Or ceremony on January 11 next year.
Best goal finalists:
David Ball (ENG) - 29/03, Fleetwood Town v Preston North End (English
second division)
Gonzalo Castro (URU) – 12/04, Real Sociedad v Deportivo La Coruna (La
Liga)
Alessandro Florenzi (ITA) – 16/09, AS Roma v Barcelona (Champions
League)
Wendell Lira (BRA) – 11/03, Atletico-GO v Goianesia (Goias state
championship, Brazil)
Carli Lloyd (USA) – 05/07, United States v Japan (Women’s World Cup
final)
Lionel Messi (ARG) – 30/05, Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona (Spanish Cup)
Philippe Mexes (FRA) – 25/07, AC Milan v Inter Milan
Marcel Ndjeng (CMR) – 13/07, SC Paderborn v Bolton Wanderers |
