The FIFA Puskas Award 2023 winner was officially crowned at The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in London, recognizing Brazilian defensive midfielder Guilherme Madruga for his astonishing long-range overhead kick. Competing against a global shortlist of breathtaking strikes, Madruga's individual brilliance captured the imagination of fans and experts alike, cementing a unforgettable moment in Brazilian football history.
Understanding the full picture of the 2023 Puskas Award requires looking past the winner alone. The selection process highlights how raw technical skill, incredible athleticism, and sheer audacity intersect across both elite European leagues and lesser-known divisions worldwide.
The Winning Goal: Guilherme Madruga's Masterpiece
The defining strike took place on June 27, 2023, during a Campeonato Brasileiro Série B match between Botafogo-SP and Novorizontino. Guilherme Madruga, playing as a defensive midfielder, chased down a loose ball near the edge of the penalty box. With his back turned to the goal and defenders closing in, he executed a stunning, looping overhead bicycle kick that sailed over everyone and dipped perfectly under the crossbar.
- Match: Novorizontino vs. Botafogo-SP
- Competition: Campeonato Brasileiro Série B
- Date: June 27, 2023
- Significance: It was Madruga's very first professional goal for the club.
Madruga later admitted that he didn't fully comprehend the magnitude of what he had done until he rewatched the footage after the final whistle. The audacious technique required to generate that much power and trajectory from outside the box made it an instant fan favorite.
The Final Three Contenders
Before the winner was announced, FIFA narrowed down an initial list of eleven nominees to a final top three. Madruga faced fierce competition from the English Premier League and the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
Julio Enciso for Brighton
Paraguayan teenager Julio Enciso earned his spot in the final three with a thunderous right-footed rocket for Brighton & Hove Albion against Manchester City. Receiving the ball roughly 25 yards out, Enciso took a sharp touch before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top-right corner, leaving goalkeeper Ederson with zero chance of making a save.
Nuno Santos for Sporting CP
Sporting winger Nuno Santos delivered one of the most inventive goals of the year against Boavista. Floating inside the box, Santos met a cross with an audacious left-footed rabona kick, wrapping his leg behind his standing leg to guide the ball past the defense and in off the post.
Complete List of 2023 Nominees
The broader selection pool featured eleven extraordinary goals from various global competitions, showcasing talent across men's and women's football:
- Guilherme Madruga (Botafogo-SP vs. Novorizontino)
- Julio Enciso (Brighton vs. Manchester City)
- Nuno Santos (Sporting CP vs. Boavista)
- Álvaro Barreal (FC Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds)
- Linda Caicedo (Colombia vs. Germany, FIFA Women's World Cup)
- Brian Lozano (Atlas vs. América)
- Iván del Olmo (UD Ibiza vs. Burgos)
- Seong-jin Kang (South Korea U-20 vs. Jordan U-20)
- Sam Kerr (Australia vs. England, FIFA Women's World Cup)
- Askhat Tagybergen (Kazakhstan vs. Denmark)
- Betis / other regional nominees spanning domestic leagues.
How the Voting System Works
The Puskas Award uses a unique combined voting structure to ensure both public passion and professional consensus are factored into the final result.
- Fan Voting: Supporters from around the world vote on the official FIFA website, submitting their top three choices.
- Expert Panel: A panel of football legends and tactical experts independently ranks the shortlisted goals.
- Point Distribution: Points are awarded based on rankings from both voting bodies. The fan vote and expert panel each account for 50 percent of the final tally, regardless of geographic popularity.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the 2023 Puskas Award winner announced?
The winner was revealed on January 15, 2024, during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony held in London.
Who selects the initial Puskas Award nominees?
A panel of experts assembled by FIFA reviews thousands of goals scored globally across a designated window to curate the initial longlist of eleven nominees.
Can goalkeepers or defenders win the Puskas Award?
Yes. While forwards typically dominate goal-scoring charts, defenders and midfielders frequently win or place as finalists if the technical execution of their goal stands out. Guilherme Madruga is a prime example of a defensive player taking home the top honor.
Are women's matches eligible for the Puskas Award?
The Puskas Award encompasses goals scored in both men's and women's professional football globally, provided they meet FIFA's criteria for aesthetic beauty and fair play.
