Independiente’s Santiago Montiel clinches 2025 FIFA Puskás award

Argentine winger Santiago Montiel, 25, of Independiente, has been named the winner of the 2025 FIFA Puskás Award for scoring one of the season’s most spectacular goals.

The accolade, presented at FIFA’s The Best ceremony in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, honours the most beautiful goal of the year, as determined by a combination of fan votes and an expert panel.

Montiel’s award-winning strike came on May 11, 2025, during a league clash against Independiente Rivadavia at the Estadio Libertadores de América, where he executed a stunning long-range bicycle kick that captivated fans worldwide.

With the score tied at 0–0, a cleared ball from a corner fell to Montiel just outside the penalty area.

In a moment of audacity, the forward launched himself into an acrobatic overhead kick, sending the ball into the top corner from over 20 yards out.

The goal secured a 1–0 victory for Independiente and has since been described as a “goal for the ages,” drawing comparisons with legendary strikes in football history.

Montiel’s effort edged out strong competition from nominees including Barcelona teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, and Persija Jakarta defender Rizky Ridho.

In a separate category, Mexican player Lizbeth Ovalle’s scorpion kick was honoured as the best women’s goal of the year.

This marks the second consecutive Puskás Award won by an Argentine, following Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho in 2024.

Named after Hungarian football icon Ferenc Puskás, the award has been bestowed annually since 2009 to celebrate creativity and skill in goal-scoring, regardless of competition level.

Past winners include global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Mohamed Salah.

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