FIFA Puskas Best Goal Award: It’s Carli Lloyd Vs. Lionel Messi

American women’s star Carli Lloyd will take on Lionel Messi for the Puskas Award, the prize for the best goal of the year, world governing body FIFA said Friday.

National captain Lloyd scored a hat-trick as the United States defeated Japan 5-2 in July’s World Cup final in Vancouver with one of the goals a spectacular lob from the centre of the pitch.

Lloyd, already the favourite for the women’s Ballon d’Or award, is looking to succeed another woman, Stephanie Roche of Ireland, who won last year’s Puskas Award.

Messi has been nominated for his goal for Barcelona against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Cup final which saw the Argentine star weave his way past four defenders as well as the goalkeeper before scoring.

There are 10 nominees for goal of the year with the winner announced at the Ballon d’Or ceremony on January 11 next year.

Best goal finalists:

David Ball (ENG) – 29/03, Fleetwood Town v Preston North End (English second division)

Gonzalo Castro (URU) a 12/04, Real Sociedad v Deportivo La Coruna (La Liga)

Alessandro Florenzi (ITA) a 16/09, AS Roma v Barcelona (Champions League)

Wendell Lira (BRA) a 11/03, Atletico-GO v Goianesia (Goias state championship, Brazil)

Carli Lloyd (USA) a 05/07, United States v Japan (Women’s World Cup final)

Lionel Messi (ARG) a 30/05, Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona (Spanish Cup)

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Philippe Mexes (FRA) a 25/07, AC Milan v Inter Milan (friendly match)

Marcel Ndjeng (CMR) a 13/07, SC Paderborn v Bolton Wanderers (friendly match)

Esteban Ramirez (CRC) a 02/11, Herediano v Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica championship)

Carlos Tevez (ARG) a 09/11, Juventus v Parma (Italian Serie A)

By AFP