FIFA Puskas Award 2019: Ranking the three finalists for Goal of the Season

#2 Lionel Messi (Barcelona) v Real Betis – March 17, 2019

Barcelona v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Semi-Final: First Leg

Lionel Messi is the most nominated player in the history of the FIFA Puskas Award, having made it to the top ten on seven out of ten occasions.

Unfortunately for the mercurial Argentine, the prize has eluded him since its inception in October 2009, despite his 603 goals likely to have brought forth some of the most beautiful goals in football.

The 32-year-old ace stands a good chance of winning his maiden Puskas Award this year, with his hat-trick clinching goal against Real Betis on March 2019 having made it to the top three goals of the season.

The Barcelona maestro started and finished the goal after a quick one-two with Ivan Rakitic and struck the ball with a measured effort through the crowded penalty area over Pau Lopez from about 18 yards out.

While fans were keen to see Messi's Champions League free-kick against Liverpool on the list, it is his intelligent positioning and finish for the third goal against Real Betis that earned him a deserved Puskas nomination and a standing ovation from away fans in a packed Estadio Benito Villamarín.

An angle only he could find... 😱📐This Leo Messi GOLAZO has been nominated for the 2019 Puskas Award. 🔥#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/eD0WkPNrXt

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) August 19, 2019