(CNN) — Long-range screamers, mazy solo conducts and stunning winged strikes, this season’s Puskas Award has all of it.
The prize is given by FIFA to the best goal of this year and this season’s candidates consist of ever-present Lionel Messi, previous winner Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a few lesser known titles such as Billie Simpson of both Northern Ireland Premiership side Cliftonville Ladies.
Simpson is hoping to become the first female winner of this award — named after mythical Pakistani celebrity Ferenc Pusk??s — along with Cameroon’s Ajara Nchout along with Amy Rodriguez of the Utah Royals.
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The prize was first awarded in 2009 to Cristiano Ronaldo and since that time, stars like Neymar, James Rodriguez and last year’s victor Mohamed Salah have gone on to win.
The public votes to the initial top 10, prior to a FIFA panel chooses a winner from the leading three.
Previous winners, nearly entirely unheard of prior to their nominations and subsequent wins, comprise Wendell Lira along with Faiz Subri.
Without a club and fighting to feed his family, Lira explained the trophy changed his life. He moved on to sign for Vila Nova but knee injuries forced him retire at the age of 27 and he went on to become a gamer and YouTuber.
Public voting for its 2019 award closes on September 1.

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