Roma midfielder Alessandro Florenzi narrowly missed out on the FIFA Puskas Award after Brazilian Wendell Lira pipped him to top spot and claimed the award.
Short-listed in the final three, the 24-year-old was nominated for his long range strike against fellow nominee Lionel Messi’s team, Barcelona, during Roma’s Champions League clash with the Catalan giants back in September.
In the end, the award for the best goal of the year went to 27-year-old Lira, who held the majority of votes for his acrobatic overhead kick, whilst playing for Brazilian side Goianesia earlier in the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG-d-aHadKo
Messi, who went on to pick up the Ballon d’Or award, was nominated for his memorising goal against Athletic Club.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOX2QpfMkq4
Whilst unable to pick up the award, plaudits will remember Florenzi’s wonder-strike for quite some time.
It’s certainly one that Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen won’t be forgetting any time soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWbN0WF0zAY
