Rice’s Spectacular Free-Kick Earns Puskas Award Nomination
Declan Rice’s stunning free-kick during Arsenal’s recent Champions League quarter-final match has earned him a nomination for the prestigious FIFA Puskas Award of 2025. This award, established in 2009, recognizes the most aesthetically impressive goal scored within a calendar year.
Rice’s Exceptional Performance
In the first leg of the quarter-final against Real Madrid, Rice delivered an impressive performance, scoring two goals that showcased his remarkable skill. The first goal, a well-placed curler, caught goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois off guard. Just 12 minutes later, he struck again from a longer distance, finding the top corner with remarkable accuracy.
Match Outcome
Arsenal secured a dominant 3-0 victory in this match. They followed up with a solid performance in the second leg, winning 2-1 in Madrid to advance in the tournament.
Puskas Award Nomination Details
With this nomination, Declan Rice joins a select group of Arsenal players recognized for their exceptional goals. He is the fourth Gunner to be nominated, following:
- Emmanuel Adebayor (2009 vs Villarreal)
- Samir Nasri (2010 vs Porto)
- Olivier Giroud (2017, won for scorpion kick)
The Puskas Award also features other notable nominees, including:
- Alessandro Deiola (Cagliari vs. Venezia, 18 May 2025)
- Pedro de la Vega (Cruz Azul vs. Seattle Sounders, 31 July 2025)
- Santiago Montiel (Independiente vs. Independiente Rivadavia, 11 May 2025)
- Amr Nasser (Al Ahly vs. Pharco, 17 April 2025)
- Carlos Orrantía (Querétaro vs. Atlas, 16 April 2025)
- Lucas Ribeiro (Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Borussia Dortmund, 21 June 2025)
- Rizky Ridho (Persija Jakarta vs. Arema, 9 March 2025)
- Kévin Rodrigues (Kasımpaşa vs. Rizespor, 9 February 2025)
- Lamine Yamal (Espanyol vs. Barcelona, 15 May 2025)
A Unique Selection Process
The winner of the Puskas Award will be determined by a combination of fan votes and selections made by a panel of esteemed FIFA Legends. The award ceremony will take place during The Best FIFA Football Awards in 2025.
Regardless of the final outcome, Declan Rice’s beautiful strike is already a part of Arsenal’s storied history, marking a memorable moment for the club and its supporters.
