Goals by Van Persie, James, Zlatan chosen as finalists for FIFA Puskas Award
FIFA announced on Wednesday its 10 finalists for World Goal of the Year – aka the Puskas Award named after the great Hungarian striker Ferenc Puskas, who starred for Real Madrid in the 1950s and 60s. It's an eclectic collection of goals that favors skill over power and even ventures as far as a women's league in Ireland to find a worthy top-10 candidate.
Fans will decide the winner and, as is often the case with such awards, star power will be a huge factor. So don't be surprised if Robin van Persie, James Rodriguez or Zlatan Ibrahimovic finish first (Ibra won it last year with this memorable goal for Sweden in a friendly against England).
Only goals scored between Oct. 3, 2013 and Sept. 26, 2014 were considered. The winning goal will be announced on December 1.
Here are the 10 finalists:
Tim Cahill, Australia
Diego Costa, Atletico Madrid
Marco Fabian, Cruz Azul
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paris Saint-Germain
Pajtim Kasami, Fulham
Steph Roche, Peamount United
James Rodriguez, Colombia
Camilo Sanvezzo, Vancouver Whitecaps
Hisato Sato, Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Robin van Persie, Netherlands