Arsenal's Olivier Giroud nominated for Fifa Puskas Award

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud's 'scorpion kick' volley against Crystal Palace in January has been nominated for Fifa's Puskas Award.

The 31-year-old's effort has been shortlisted along with those by Venezuela's Deyna Castellanos and South African keeper Oscarine Masuluke.

The winner of the goal of the year will be announced in London on 23 October.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar compete for the Best Fifa Men's Player shortlist on the same night.

The France forward's strike, which put Arsenal ahead in their 2-0 win on New Year's Day, was labelled a "great" goal by his manager Arsene Wenger.

Alexis Sanchez's cross was slightly behind Giroud, but he flicked at the ball with his left foot, looping it over his head and in off the underside of the bar.

Castellanos' goal was a cheeky lob from the halfway line against Cameroon at the Under-17 Women's World Cup, while Masuluke was a last-minute bicycle kick equaliser for Baroka against Orlando Pirates in the Absa Premiership.

The winner of the Puskas Award - along with the other prizes - will be decided by a jury of club and international coaches, media representatives and fans, with the winners revealed at the London Palladium.

Fifa, football's world governing body, is running its awards for the second year since ending its association with France Football's Ballon d'Or in September 2016.

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37 comments

Comment posted by mcfcblue12, at 20:32 9 Oct 2017
People saying how Mkhitaryan's goal was better,

1. It wasn't
2. It was scored in 2016
Comment posted by invincible 49, at 18:36 9 Oct 2017
The Giroud goal was quality, great play from him in the build up and great execution for the finish.

He mentioned in the interview after the game that the Mkhitaryan goal inspired him to give it a go. Fair play for to him for that.

Don't agree that the goal was a fluke as it was what he was trying to do. Getting it in off the crossbar was lucky though and made it look even better.
Comment posted by 419NigerianPrince, at 22:06 9 Oct 2017
For everyone talking about Mkhitaryan's kick,
1. It was last year
2. It wasn't as spectacular as Giroud's one cos Mkhitaryan was next to the goal and Gironde was at the edge of the box
3. MKHITARYAN'S GOAL WAS OFFSIDE!!!!
Comment posted by uncrasimatic, at 23:21 9 Oct 2017
"People saying how Mkhitaryan's goal was better,

1. It wasn't
2. It was scored in 2016"

3. It was offside
Comment posted by road2ruin, at 18:12 9 Oct 2017
Fair play for Castellanos for having a go but that goalkeeper just waved that one past so for me no where near the other two. Being part of the Goalkeepers Union I'll vote for Masuluke!!
Comment posted by NoCLsince2008noPL2013hahah, at 17:16 9 Oct 2017
South African Keeper with the overhead kick equaliser should win it.... it was immense and immeasurably more important.

If you haven't seen it, look on YouTube.
Comment posted by wandrinfox, at 17:19 9 Oct 2017
South African goalie, by a mile.
Comment posted by Erics collar, at 18:45 9 Oct 2017
@16 Maybe you should do your homework son?
Comment posted by TGC, at 21:50 9 Oct 2017
There are some bitter people on this planet...
Just enjoy the game :-)

Great goal, did he mean it - yes, was it a bad pass from Alexsis - yes, could he repeat it - possibly, will it win goal of the season - definitely maybe
Comment posted by AFCMickey, at 19:45 9 Oct 2017
Giroud deserves "Goal of the Year"...100 goals at Arsenal...better than the Pepster
or Mourinster...;)
Comment posted by Mark, at 17:40 9 Oct 2017
Take me Tats Mum: most of us saw a goal like that a few days earlier!
Comment posted by Deathmam, at 21:09 9 Oct 2017
But Can's won goal of the season...
Comment posted by whitevanman, at 05:48 10 Oct 2017
Some say it was a fluke, it wasn't. Why? Because he meant to score. Was he lucky? Yes. Why? Because the other 99 times he could try the same thing it probably wouldn't go in. This is why it is a great goal.
Comment posted by Take me Tats Mum, at 16:58 9 Oct 2017
Unlikely to ever see another execution like Giroud's.
Comment posted by v-n-n-n-n, at 19:15 9 Oct 2017
Just watched the token female nomination, their goalkeepers never cease to amaze.
Comment posted by Justanopinion, at 18:04 10 Oct 2017
He said he didn't. Was good to watch though. Football is about that.

"26. Posted by tommy c on
Great goal, did he mean it - yes,"
Comment posted by HelloGunner, at 17:34 9 Oct 2017
GIROUD
Comment posted by NoCLsince2008noPL2013hahah, at 17:22 9 Oct 2017
They've added the GK favourite to the story so no need for YouTube now.

Shame Sky won't cooperate with the BBC more around older footage :(
Comment posted by D1679538495847, at 17:44 9 Oct 2017
Giroud goal was class, but the Oscarine Masuluke one was better!

Unbelievable!
Comment posted by Tupoar, at 22:21 9 Oct 2017
For those saying Mkhy's goal doesn't count as it was 2016, check out the date Deyna Castellanos' goal.... Giroud's goal was only better (imho) due to the buildup play. Anyway, my vote is for the keeper...