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On the 24th September in London was held the FIFA Football Awards. That night truly surprised many as Luka Modric became the first player excluding Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the FIFA World Player of the Year since 2007.
Also, surprising was to see Mohammed Salah win the Puskas Award with his goal against Everton. In a year when two incredible overhead bicycle kicks were scored in the UEFA Champions League knock-out stages, it is weird to see an almost regular cut-in goal win.
Puskas award is the only one which is decided by a public vote and it isn't a secret that Salah has a huge fanbase in Egypt. So it is most likely the main reason he won.
Let's look at five goals, that haven't won the Puskas Award since it is presented.
#5 Robin Van Persie (The Netherlands vs Spain, FIFA World Cup 2014)
The game between Spain and Netherlands is remembered as one of the most shocking in World Cup history. Both had played in the final four years earlier so a cracking match was expected. But instead of that Netherlands scored five times and completely humiliated the defending Champions.
Spain was actually the first to score but just before the half-time Netherlands struck back with one of the greatest goals of the decade. Full-back Daley Blind made a fantastic long pass to Robin Van Persie who was able to reach the ball with his head, lobbing Iker Casillas.
While this goal is undoubtedly one of the most memorable in this century, it finished only third in the Puskas Award voting. The winner was James Rodriguez who scored a beautiful volley in the same competition.
#4 Jack Wilshere (Arsenal vs Norwich City, English Premier League 2013)
[See from 00:03 to 00:38 seconds]
Arsenal is known for scoring many amazing team goals. But in October 2013 they surprised everyone, seemingly even themselves.
In the 18th minute against Norwich City, Arsenal made quick five one-touch passes before eventually, Jack Wilshere scored an easy goal, getting past the whole defence.
Not only did this goal not win, it didn't even get a Puskas Award nomination, FIFA choosing more individual efforts. It is possible that the problem was the time of year Wilshere scored as only the goals before October count.
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid vs Juventus, UEFA Champions League 2018)
In last season's UEFA Champions League quarterfinals met the previous year's finalists Real Madrid and Juventus. Even though it was Italy where the first match took place, Real were the ones that got the win by three goals.
Most thankfully to Cristiano Ronaldo who scored a brace. His second goal was an incredible overhead bicycle kick goal which made even the opposition fans to stand up and applaud.
As mentioned, this year Puskas Award went to Mohammed Salah. But Ronaldo and Gareth Bale scored the goals that everyone will remember for a long time.
#2 Wayne Rooney (Manchester United vs Manchester City, English Premier League 2011)
In 2011 the Manchester derby was as massive as never before. The game was tied at 1:1 during the second half but a draw at the Old Trafford wasn't in United mind.
On the 78th minute, Nani made an iconic cross to Wayne Rooney who was full of adrenaline, scoring an overhead kick in the top right corner. Manchester United went on to win the game and the whole Premier League that season.
While it is undoubtedly one of the greatest game winners in English football history, Rooney's goal didn't win the Puskas Award in 2011. It was the young Neymar's individual masterpiece.
#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao, Copa Del Rey 2015)
In 2015 the Copa Del Rey final was played between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao.
As it happened in Europe's largest stadium, 97'000 people were able to witness how Lionel Messi ran past four defenders from the middle of the pitch, scoring a phenomenal individual goal in the 20th minute. The Argentinian scored another one in the second half and Barcelona won by 3:1.
Interesting that the goal made a significant resemblance to the one Messi scored eight years earlier in the same competition against Getafe.
While Messi got 33% of all the votes, it was still not enough to beat Wendell Lira acrobatic goal.
