Brazilian from Botafogo-SP competes for Puskás; see the goals – 12/14/2023 – Sport

In addition to announcing the finalists for the best player of the season award, FIFA (International Football Federation) also revealed this Thursday (14) the finalists for the Puskás award, which chooses the most beautiful goal. The award is named after Hungarian striker Ferenc Puskás, famous for his accurate finishes, and is defined through a vote carried out by fans on the FIFA website and by a panel of experts.

Midfielder Guilherme Madruga, from Botafogo-SP, is one of the candidates. He scored a great goal from outside the area, covering Novorizontino’s goalkeeper, in a match in June 2023 at the Doutor Jorge Ismael de Biasi stadium, in Novo Horizonte, valid for Series B of the Brazilian Championship that ended with the victory of the team from Ribeirão Preto 1-0.

“After the game I watched the video of the goal again and only then did I realize what I had done. My brother and I looked at each other, and I said: ‘Bro, did I do that?'”, declared the player.

Also in contention for the most beautiful goal is Paraguayan Júlio Enciso, from England’s Brighton, who hit a beautiful shot from outside the box in a match against Manchester City in the Premier League on May 24, at the Falmer Stadium, in Brighton, which ended in a draw. (1 to 1).

“My mother was at that game, it was my celebration for her. In my country this goal is on TV, it’s a dream come true,” said Enciso, just 19 years old.

The trio of finalists for the Puskás award concludes with the Portuguese Nuno Santos, from Sporting. During a match against Boavista in the first division of the Portuguese Championship at the José Alvalade stadium, in Lisbon, Santos hit an unlikely trivela shot from before the penalty spot. The match ended with a 3-0 victory for Sporting. “It’s training. I’m used to doing this,” said the player.

The period considered to evaluate the most beautiful goals of the season was from December 19, 2022 to August 20, 2023. The winner will be announced on January 15, 2024, in London.

Two Brazilians have already been awarded the Puskás. Neymar, in 2011, when he scored a great goal in an iconic game against Flamengo at Vila Belmiro, which ended in a 5-4 victory for the visitors, and which featured a gala performance from Ronaldinho Gaúcho.

In 2015, Wendell Lira won the award, after receiving the ball inside the area and hitting a difficult volley to open the scoring for Goianésia in a match against Atlético Goianiense in the state championship.