Argentina's Santiago Montiel clinched the FIFA The Best Puskas Award for Goal of the Year, thanks to his spectacular overhead kick for Independiente against Independiente Rivadavia. Gonzalo Montiel's cousin scored the sensational goal in May during an Argentine league match, executing a stunning acrobatic effort from outside the box after the opposition defence cleared a corner kick.

Montiel declared after his magnificent strike, "I didn't think, I just hit it." He takes over the award's honours from compatriot Alejandro Garnacho, who scored for Manchester United. The accolade, named after the iconic Spanish-Hungarian forward Ferenc Puskas, celebrates the most spectacular goals scored between 11 August 2024 and 2 August 2025.

Meanwhile, Mexico's Lizbeth Ovalle secured the FIFA The Best Marta Award for her spectacular 'scorpion' goal for Tigres against Guadalajara in the Mexican Women's League on 3 March. The 26-year-old, born in Aguascalientes, becomes the second recipient of the award named after the Brazilian legend. Her stunning strike cemented her team's 2-0 victory.

The Mexican international collected a pass from Jenni Hermoso, adjusted her body, and dispatched the ball into the top-left corner with an exquisite 'scorpion' kick. Ovalle's goal, whose August transfer cost Orlando Pride £1.1 million, was selected from ten nominees within the period of 11 August 2024 and 2 August 2025.

S. Montiel

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