Santiago Montiel has won the prestigious 2025 FIFA Puskás Award. The 25-year-old Independiente winger was honored for scoring the most aesthetically beautiful goal of the year.
FIFA presented the accolade on Tuesday during “The Best” ceremony in Doha, Qatar. A combination of fan votes and expert panel input determined the winner.
A Goal for the Ages
The historic strike happened on May 11, 2025. It occurred during a fierce Primera División clash against Independiente Rivadavia at the Estadio Libertadores de América.
The game was tied 0–0 when the defense cleared a corner kick. The ball fell to Montiel just outside the penalty box. Instead of controlling it, the forward made a split-second decision.
In a moment of brilliance, Montiel launched himself into an acrobatic long-range bicycle kick. He connected perfectly from over 20 yards out. The ball soared into the top corner, securing a 1–0 victory. Fans and pundits immediately compared the strike to the greatest goals in football history.
Beating the Competition
Montiel faced stiff competition to claim the trophy. He edged out several elite nominees, including:
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona teenage sensation)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal midfielder)
- Rizky Ridho (Persija Jakarta defender)
An Argentine Streak
This victory keeps the trophy in Argentina for a second straight year. It follows Alejandro Garnacho’s win for Manchester United in 2024.
Named after Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás, the award celebrates creativity in goal-scoring. Since 2009, past winners have included icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Mohamed Salah.
Women’s Best Goal
The ceremony also highlighted the women’s game.
Mexican player Lizbeth Ovalle received honors for the best women’s goal of the year. She was recognized for a spectacular scorpion kick scored for Tigres.
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