Championship goal becomes first ever nominated for Puskas but it didn't even win goal of the season

Today at 06:04 AM

Jadon Philogene's rabona wonder strike against Rotherham United has become the first ever Championship goal shortlisted for the Puskas Award.

However, some have pointed out it did not even win the Championship goal of the season prize.

That award was given to Wes Burns for his mesmerising trivela against Coventry City.

Burns scored in Ipswich Town's 2-1 victory against Coventry in December 2023, a season which saw the Tractor Boys make an historic return to the Premier League after 22 years.

Not only was it a screamer, it was a well executed team goal, starting from the goalkeeper, going from right to left then back to right before the winger cut inside to beat his man and fire a curling shot with the outside of his foot.

A shot so perfect it rooted goalkeeper, Bradley Collins, to the grass as it rippled the net in his top right corner.

After the match Burns was asked to comment on his goal. He said: "To be fair the boss has just hammered me there for not using my left foot.

"But yeah, I've tried it so many times in training and it's not come off. The space opened up on the inside, cut inside and thought I'd use the outside of my foot instead."

However, Philogene's goal for Hull City is arguably just as or even more impressive.

A goal which sparked Hull’s 2-1 turnaround win away from home.

The now Aston Villa player in the right side of the box managed to nutmeg a defender then sit him down with a fake shot.

He then set himself up for a rabona which sailed over the opposition beating an outstretched keeper to hit the post and crash in.  

"A moment of genius with a lick of good fortune," said the commentator. "That young man can do so much".

Another nominee from an English club is Mohammed Kudus versus Freiburg when he slalomed his way through the German side starting from behind his half way line to eventually roll his shot past the helpless goalkeeper. 

Alejandro Garnacho's bicycle kick against Everton is also on the shortlist.

An effort reminiscent of Wayne Rooney's goal against Manchester City in 2011 which won the Premier League's goal of the 20 seasons award. 

In recent years players from English clubs have won many Puskas Awards. Four since 2017, the most recent being Heung-Min Son's goal against West Ham United.

Mohamed Salah and Olivier Giroud have also won the award – the Frenchman's scorpion kick is perhaps the best goal seen by young Arsenal fans.

If Philogene were to win, it would be the first ever while playing for a Championship side.

The winner of the FIFA Puskas Award will be split equally between fans and a panel of legends, the same process for the new FIFA Marta Award, honouring the best goal scored in women's football named after the Brazilian legend.

Fans and legends each nominate three goals from the shortlist with each position having points allocated.

Five points for their first choice, three points for their second choice and one for the third.