Blues duo up for goal-den honour for their strikes
TWO City players are on the shortlist for this year’s FIFA Puskas Award to recognise the best goals scored in 2021.
Men’s player Riyad Mahrez is on the list for his stunning solo effort while captaining Algeria against Zimbabwe in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying last year.
And midfielder Caroline Weir gets recognition for her sensational chip while playing for City in last season’s derby win over United at the Academy Stadium.
It’s Weir’s second Puskas nomination in as many years following her derby rocket against United at the Etihad in 2019, which earned her a place on the 2020 shortlist.
Tottenham’s Heung-min Son eventually won that award.
Mahrez’s goal in November 2020 saw him take down a long ball foward with the outside of his boot, flick it over his defender with the first touch before racing into the area on the right hand side. The City man then cut inside, checked back to leave the Zimbabwe defender on the floor, before smashing home with his right foot.
Weir’s effort saw her turn on the edge of the box on the left hand side to create space away from her defender, she then chipped a perfect effort to drop into the far corner, over United goalkeeper Mary Earps who was practically on her line.
The pair will go up against Luis Diaz (Colombia), Gauther Hein (AJ Auxerre), Erik Lamela (Tottenham), Valentino Lazaro (Borussia Monchengladbach), Sandra Owusu-Ansah (Supreme Ladies FC), Vangelis Pavlidis (Willem II), Daniela Sanchez (Queretaro FC), Patrik Schick (Czech Republic), and Mehdi Terami (FC Porto).
The winner will be selected by an international jury comprising a panel of FIFA Legends and registered fans from all over the world on their website.