Dimitri Payet is one of the three finalists for the Puskas prize, which rewards the best goal of the year. The Marseillais is in competition with Richarlison and Marcin Oleksy.
After Olivier Giroud, winner in 2017, will a second Frenchman win the Puskas prize? It is possible this year since Dimitri Payet is one of the three finalists for this trophy rewarding the most beautiful goal of the year, which will be awarded on February 27, as part of The Best evening. The other two players in the running are Richarlison and Marcin Oleksy.
Payet postulates thanks to his goal scored in the Europa League Conference against PAOK Salonika, a volley from outside the area, on a corner, which came to lodge under the crossbar. “It’s more of a half-volley move that you try in training, but I think that night I was in the right place at the right time and I took it the right way, tells the former Nantes on the site of Fifa. Afterwards, there is also success because I think I can try it again a bunch of times and it will never be so well placed, so I’m enjoying it, because it’s a goal that will remain and it’s a goal that will matter most. »
🔹 Dimitri Payet 🇫🇷 is one of the three finalists for the Puskas award, rewarding the most beautiful goal of the year 2022! #TeamOM pic.twitter.com/4yWYXNsXcQ
— OM Info (@InfosOM_) February 10, 2023
Among Payet’s two opponents, there is therefore Richarlison, who has already received the trophy for the best goal of the 2022 World Cup. A serious competitor, therefore, as is the Polish Marcin Oleksy. This amputee player scored a magnificent acrobatic volley, leaning on one of his crutches.
Marcin Oleksy meets his goal: « David [Novak], my teammate, gave me the pass. Seeing the ball approach, I knew I would be the first over. My execution was excellent. The perfect gesture. When it was time to hit, I followed the ball with my eyes and saw it lodge in the small net. I always wanted to score a good goal. When I scored, you could read the pride on my face. I stood up straight and bulged out my chest. It was such a joy. »
The goals are visible on the FIFA website.
