Carli Lloyd, Lionel Messi among nominees for FIFA Puskas Award
U.S. women’s national team midfielder Carli Lloyd has been nominated for the FIFA Puskas award for her midfield strike during the 2015 Women’s World Cup final.
Among the goals up for the award, Lloyd’s is the only one scored by a woman, and she could become the first woman to win the honors. Last season, Stephanie Roche’s goal was a finalist, and she later signed with Lloyd’s NWSL team, the Houston Dash.
Lloyd solidified her famous hat trick within the first 16 minutes of play during the 5–2 win over Japan to take the World Cup title, scoring on a 50-yard shot from the center circle.
With the goal, Lloyd became the first woman and second person in history to score a hat trick in the World Cup final.
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Lionel Messi’s near-post goal for Barcelona against Athletic Bilbao in Spain’s Copa Del Rey is also up for the award. Messi went on a 50-yard run down the right side of the field and weaved past four defenders to score.
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The winner of the Puskas award is decided by fan votes. The three finalists will be announced on Nov. 30 and the winner will be announced on Jan. 11 at the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala, where Lloyd is expected to be a finalist for FIFA Women's World Player of the Year.
The full list of nominees is below, and the nominated goals can be viewed here.
David Ball – Fleetwood Town vs. Preston North End, League 1 (England)
Gonzalo Castro – Real Sociedad vs. Deportivo de la Coruña, Primera Division (Spain)
Alessandro Florenzi – AS Roma vs. FC Barcelona, UEFA Champions League
Wendell Lira – Atletico-GO vs. Goianesia, Campeonato Goiano (Brazil)
Carli Lloyd – USA vs, Japan, FIFA Women’s World Cup, Canada 2015
Lionel Messi – Athletic Bilbao vs. FC Barcelona, Copa del Rey (Spain)
Philippe Mexes – AC Milan vs. Inter Milan, Friendly
Marcel Ndjeng – SC Paderborn vs. Bolton Wanderers, Friendly
Esteban Ramirez – Herediano vs. Deportivo Saprissa, Primera Division (Costa Rica)
Carlos Tevez – Juventus vs. Parma Calcio, Serie A (Italy)
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- Xandria James
