Mohammed Kudus’s solo run and finish against Freiburg in the Europa League last season has been nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award.
The award, named after Hungarian football legend Ferenc Puskas, has run since 2009 and recognises the best goal scored in world football each year.
It was the West Ham forward’s first of two goals on the night as the Hammers thrashed Freiburg 5-0 at the London Stadium on March 14.
Kudus picked the ball up in his own half and ran past three Freiburg defenders before slotting home with his right foot.
Simply. Sensational. pic.twitter.com/x3og9iBfFq
— West Ham United (@WestHam) March 16, 2024
The goal was named Europa League goal of the season by UEFA and it also won West Ham’s own goal of the season competition.
Kudus finished last season, his first campaign at West Ham, with 14 goals across all competitions. He has made a slower start to this campaign, scoring two goals - both of them in the Premier League.
The Ghana international is up against 10 other goals for the Puskas Award, with the best goal crowned at The Best FIFA Football Awards due to be held in January 2025.
Former winners of the Puskas Award include Cristiano Ronaldo, Heung-min Son and Mohamed Salah, as well as less renowned names such as Marcin Oleksy and Guilherme Madruga.
The Puskas Award is voted on by an international jury which includes nominated FIFA ‘Legends’ and football fans.
The full list of nominees for the 2023/24 edition are:
Mohammed Kudus (West Ham) v Freiburg
Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) v Everton
Hassan Al-Haydos (Qatar) v China
Terry Antonis (Melbourne City) v Western Sydney Wanderers
Yassine Benzia (Algeria) v South Africa
Walter Bou (Lanus) v Tiger
Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan) v Frosinone
Denis Omedi (Kitara) v KCCA
Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor) v Konyaspor
Jaden Philogene (Hull City) v Rotherham United
Michaell Chirinos (Honduras) v Costa Rica
