FIFA announced it's shortlist for the 2014 Puskas Award for the Goal of the Year. 3 goals from an original pool of 10 were selected via an internet vote by the general public. The award was first established back in 2009 by FIFA President Sepp Blatter.The award is in honour of Hungarian forward Ferenc Puskás, the striker for Real Madrid team of the late 1950s and the 1960s. The previous winners of this award are Cristiano Ronaldo, Hamit Altintop, Neymar, Miroslav Stoch and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
#1 James Rodriguez
28 June 2014: This goal was scored in the biggest competition ofthem all. During Colombia’s pre-quarter final against Uruguay, Abel Aguilar’s header towards James Rodriguez appeared innocuous until the Real Madrid midfielder chested the ball over his head, turned and produced an unstoppable volley which went in after hitting the crossbar. Colombia went on to win the game and qualify for the next round evantually going out to hosts Brazil.
#2 Robin van Persie
13 June 2014: Another goal in the FIFA World Cup during the famous 5-1 drubbing of Spain by The Netherlands at the Arena Fonte Nova. Robin van Persie’s Superman-esque header off a Daley Blind cross which left Iker Casillas stranded is the second name on the list. The Dutch forward scored another goal in the game and alongwith Arjen Robben gave the then-defending champions a lesson they wouldn’t forget in a hurry.
#3 Stephanie Roche
20 October 2013: Not as famous as the other two names on the list and not scored at a high profile event like the FIFA World Cup, Irishwoman Stephanie Roche’s three-touch effort came at an Irish League game for Peamount United against Wexford Youths. She controlled the ball with her first touch, dinked it over a marker with the second and turned to produce a vicious volley with the left foot.
