Here’s a look at the top 10 goals of 2023.
New Delhi: 2023 is coming to an end and there are many notable moments from the world of football to look back on. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have finally left Europe and are now plying their trade in Saudi Arabia and the US respectively. After countless attempts, Manchester City can finally call themselves Champions of Europe. Messi in particular swept aside all the individual awards and at the same time many memorable goals were scored that will be remembered for a long time. Let’s take a look at the top 10 goals scored in 2023.
All goals have been nominated for the Puskas Award, an annual individual award given by FIFA to a footballer for scoring the best goal of the year.
Of the 11 names nominated, only 3 made it to Final 3: Guilherme Madruga, Nuno Santos and Julio Enciso. The winners will be announced on January 15, 2024 in London at the Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 ceremony.
1) Guilherme Madruga
🇧🇷 Guilherme Madruga
⚽ Botafogo FC-SP vs Novorizontino
📆 June 2023Imagery courtesy of Campeonato Brasileiro Série B & Brax Sports Assets pic.twitter.com/UMt6fS772T
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 14, 2023
The Brazilian scored an incredible bicycle kick from distance for Botafogo against Novorizontino in the 2023 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B. He has made it to the last three of the 2023 Puskas Award and is a firm favorite to win the recognition. This goal is a perfect feast for the eyes.
2) Nuno Santos
🇵🇹 Nuno Santos
⚽ Sporting against Boavista
📆 March 2023Imagery courtesy of Liga Portugal Betclic & Sport TV pic.twitter.com/ulDSo3CTHe
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 14, 2023
Nuno Santos’ breathtaking rabona goal reminds us of another rabona goal by Argentinian Erik Lamela from 2021. Lamela’s goal was a grounder and Santos’ attempt aimed into the top corner. The then Tottenham player managed to win the prize, but can the Sporting Lisbon footballer match that?
3) Julio Enciso
🇵🇾Julio Enciso
⚽ Brighton vs Manchester City
📆 May 2023Imagery courtesy of the Premier League pic.twitter.com/R3NFcdP9le
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 14, 2023
Ensico’s goal is a perfect team goal and it was a collective effort by the Brighton players to make space for the Paraguayan. The 19 years after finding space and time unleashed a powerful shot from distance beyond the reach of Manchester City custodian Ederson. Will it be enough to win the Puskas?
4) Alvaro Barreal
Il a pas l’air dégueu technique with Alvaro Barreal 😁😁#rclens pic.twitter.com/GHl2Wk2q7f
— Matt (@kratos592) December 19, 2023
Argentinian Barreal scored a stunning volley from distance for Cincinnati against Pittsburgh Riverhounds at the 2023 US Open in June. The Argentinian met an ambitious cross from a corner and without wasting time, fired it perfectly into the top corner with his left foot.
5) Linda Caicedo
18-year-old Caicedo mesmerized and mesmerized with her quick feet during a 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup match against Germany, scoring a wonder goal to everyone’s delight. The Ecuadorian dribbled past two German defenders with ease and placed it into the bottom corner to complete a memorable goal.
6) Kang Seong Jin
Nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award! 🔥
congratulations for #AFCU20 star Kang Seong-jin on his selection as one of the best goals of the year! 🇰🇷 pic.twitter.com/UIYJJYkeaK
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) September 25, 2023
Kang-Seong-jin certainly made Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona proud as he dribbled past four defenders and pushed his way from the attacking third with ease to score a beautiful long-range strike for Korea U-20 against Jordan U-20. He was confident throughout the process and the Jordanian defenders had no answer to his counter.
7) Sam Kerr
Sam Kerr’s goal against England at the World Cup is one of the nominees for the 2023 FIFA Puskas Award 🚀🇦🇺 #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/vsQxKPUoC2
— CFC Blues (@CFCBlues_com) September 23, 2023
The Australia and Chelsea star made headlines during a 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup match against England. She received the ball from the center of the pitch and went all on her own before releasing a belter past the England keeper to score one of the goals of the tournament.
8) Brian Lozano
The Barbaric Barbaric by Brian Lozano. pic.twitter.com/1hbJw5XfIV
— Nahuel (@NahuelBeau) February 26, 2023
Atlas’ Brian Lozano shocked everyone in the stadium when his long-range shot from 50 yards found the back of the net against Club America in a Liga MX Clausura match. This was hit with some force and was placed perfectly in the corner, out of reach of the keeper.
9) Ivan Morante
Ibiza’s Ivan Morante played keep-ups with the ball once before firing an unstoppable left-footed volley past the Burgos goalkeeper in a Segunda Division match in March.
10) Askhat Tagy Mountains
⚠️ Stop what you’re doing and watch this golazo from Askhat Tagybergen… 🇰🇿
Anything else coming close this round? 🤯#EQGOTT || @AlipayPlus pic.twitter.com/2wWEUheyKJ
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 26, 2023
Kazakhstani international Askhat Tagybergen’s world-mate against Denmark in a EURO 2024 qualifier brought the Kazakh fans to their feet when his right-footed long-range striker fooled Kasper Schmeichel on goal. Kazakhstan won the match 3-2.