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FIFA Puskás Award facts for kids

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The FIFA Puskás Award [ˈpuʃkaːʃ] is an award established on 20 October 2009 by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), at the behest of then-president Sepp Blatter, to be awarded to the male or female judged to have scored the most aesthetically significant, or "most beautiful", goal of the calendar year. The Puskás award is announced yearly and is considered by voting.

The award is in honour of Ferenc Puskás, the striker of Real Madrid during the late 1950s to the late 1960s, and central member of the highly successful Hungarian side of the same era. Puskás is widely considered by many to be the most powerful and prolific forward Europe produced in first-division football, and was honoured by IFFHS in 1997 as the best top-tier goalscorer of the 20th century. Puskás scored 806 goals in 793 games and his 86 national team goals in 90 outings was a world record at the time.

"It is important to preserve the memory of those footballing greats who have left their mark on our history. Ferenc Puskás was not only a player with immense talent who won many honours, but also a remarkable man. FIFA is therefore delighted to pay tribute to him by dedicating this award to his memory," said Blatter at the inauguration of the award in Budapest.

Until 2018, the winner was decided completely based on voting by fans on FIFA's official website. However, after a controversy in the 2018 award, FIFA changed the procedure. Now, the award is decided by pundits selected by FIFA, who will choose the winner based on the top three goals voted for by the public.

The time-frame for the first award was July 2008 to July 2009. The annual award was presented for the first time during the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year Gala on 21 December in Switzerland, with Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo being the first prize winner.

Award criteria

  • It should be an absolutely beautiful goal (subjective, but decided by voting and judgement from experts  — the spread of goals should include long-range shots, team goals, rabona, overhead kicks, individual plays, scorpion kicks, etc.).
  • It should be awarded "without distinction of championship, gender or nationality".
  • It should not be the result of luck, mistakes, deflection by another player or the player in an offside position.
  • It should support fair play, i.e. the player should not have behaved badly in the game or have been charged with doping, for example.
  • The player cannot be nominated with two different goals.

Winners and nominees

Scores and results list the player's club goal tally first.
C Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is the first recipient of the award for this long range goal from 40 yards out. Former Dutch international Ruud Gullit called it a "perfect strike", while former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said "I would have to go a long way back in the memory bank to find another one like that!"

2009

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition Vote percentage
1st Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo England Manchester United Portugal Porto 1–0 2008–09 UEFA Champions League 17.68%
2nd Spain Andrés Iniesta Spain Barcelona England Chelsea 1–1 2008–09 UEFA Champions League 15.64%
3rd Brazil Grafite Germany VfL Wolfsburg Germany Bayern Munich 5–1 2008–09 Bundesliga 13.39%
4th Israel Eliran Atar Israel Bnei Yehuda Israel Maccabi Netanya 1–1 2008–09 Israeli Premier League 13.36%
5th Spain Fernando Torres England Liverpool England Blackburn Rovers 4–0 2008–09 Premier League 9.44%
6th Brazil Nilmar Brazil Internacional Brazil Corinthians 1–0 2009 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 8.71%
7th Ghana Michael Essien England Chelsea Spain Barcelona 1–0 2008–09 UEFA Champions League 7.89%
8th Mexico Luis Ángel Landín Mexico Cruz Azul Mexico Morelia 1–1 Liga MX Clausura 2009 7.30%
9th Togo Emmanuel Adebayor England Arsenal Spain Villarreal 1–1 2008–09 UEFA Champions League 4.04%
10th South Africa Katlego Mphela  South Africa  Spain 2–2 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup 2.59%

2010

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition Vote percentage
1st Turkey Hamit Altıntop  Turkey  Kazakhstan 2–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualification 40.55%
2nd Sweden Linus Hallenius Sweden Hammarby Sweden Syrianska 2–0 2010 Superettan 13.23%
3rd Netherlands Giovanni van Bronckhorst  Netherlands  Uruguay 1–0 2010 FIFA World Cup 10.61%
Unranked Northern Ireland Matty Burrows Northern Ireland Glentoran Northern Ireland Portadown 1–0 2010–11 IFA Premiership N/A
Argentina Lionel Messi Spain Barcelona Spain Valencia 3–0 2009–10 La Liga
France Samir Nasri England Arsenal Portugal Porto 3–0 2009–10 UEFA Champions League
Brazil Neymar Brazil Santos Brazil Santo André 2–1 2010 Campeonato Paulista
Netherlands Arjen Robben Germany Bayern Munich Germany Schalke 04 1–0 2009–10 DFB-Pokal
South Africa Siphiwe Tshabalala  South Africa  Mexico 1–0 2010 FIFA World Cup
Japan Kumi Yokoyama  Japan  North Korea 2–1 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup

2011

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition Vote percentage
1st Brazil Neymar Brazil Santos Brazil Flamengo 4–5 2011 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A N/A
2nd Argentina Lionel Messi Spain Barcelona England Arsenal 1–0 2010–11 UEFA Champions League
3rd England Wayne Rooney England Manchester United England Manchester City 2–1 2010–11 Premier League
Unranked Belgium Benjamin De Ceulaer Belgium Lokeren Belgium Club Brugge 1–2 2011–12 Belgian Pro League
Mexico Giovani dos Santos  Mexico  United States 4–2 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup
Mexico Julio Gómez  Mexico  Germany 3–2 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup
Sweden Zlatan Ibrahimović Italy Milan Italy Lecce 1–0 2010–11 Serie A
Argentina Lisandro López Argentina Arsenal de Sarandí Argentina Olimpo 2–2 Primera División Apertura 2011
United States Heather O'Reilly Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of Colombia.svg Colombia 1–0 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup
Serbia Dejan Stanković Italy Inter Milan Germany Schalke 04 1–0 2010–11 UEFA Champions League

2012

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition Vote percentage
1st Slovakia Miroslav Stoch Turkey Fenerbahçe Turkey Gençlerbirliği 6–1 2011–12 Süper Lig 78%
2nd Colombia Radamel Falcao Spain Atlético Madrid Colombia América de Cali 1–0 Friendly 15%
3rd Brazil Neymar Brazil Santos Brazil Internacional 3–1 2012 Copa Libertadores 7%
Unranked Ghana Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu  Ghana  Guinea 1–0 2012 Africa Cup of Nations N/A
France Hatem Ben Arfa England Newcastle United England Blackburn Rovers 1–1 2011–12 FA Cup
France Eric Hassli Canada Vancouver Whitecaps Canada Toronto FC 1–1 2012 Canadian Championship
Mexico Olivia Jiménez  Mexico  Switzerland 2–0 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
Bolivia Gastón Mealla Bolivia Nacional Potosí Bolivia The Strongest 2–2 2011–12 Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano
Argentina Lionel Messi  Argentina  Brazil 4–3 Friendly
Senegal Moussa Sow Turkey Fenerbahçe Turkey Galatasaray 1–0 2011–12 Süper Lig

2013

Zlatan Ibrahimović-2
Zlatan Ibrahimović's 35-yard overhead kick with his back to goal won him praise from players and pundits, with the BBC describing it as a goal that "combined unfathomable imagination and expert technique".

The following list includes the nominees for the 2013 award. Voting was possible through the FIFA.com website until 9 December 2013, after a second voting round was held between the top three goals from the first round. The award to the winning goal from the second round was presented on 13 January 2014.

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition Vote percentage
1st Sweden Zlatan Ibrahimović  Sweden  England 4–2 Friendly 48.7%
2nd Serbia Nemanja Matić Portugal Benfica Portugal Porto 1–1 2012–13 Primeira Liga 30.8%
3rd Brazil Neymar  Brazil  Japan 1–0 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup 20.5%
Unranked Denmark Peter Ankersen Denmark Esbjerg Denmark Aarhus 5–1 2013–14 Superliga N/A
France Louisa Cadamuro France Lyon France Saint-Étienne 5–0 2012–13 Division 1 Féminine
Australia Lisa De Vanna United States Sky Blue United States Boston Breakers 5–1 2013 National Women's Soccer League
Italy Antonio Di Natale Italy Udinese Italy Chievo 3–1 2012–13 Serie A
Greece Panagiotis Kone Italy Bologna Italy Napoli 2–3 2012–13 Serie A
Argentina Daniel Ludueña Mexico Pachuca Mexico UANL 2–1 Liga MX Apertura 2013
Uruguay Juan Manuel Olivera Brazil Náutico Brazil Sport Recife 2–0 2013 Copa Sudamericana

2014

James Rodriguez
James Rodríguez's volley was described as "one of the greatest goals the World Cup has ever seen" by Uruguayan manager Óscar Tabárez, who also called Rodríguez "the best player in the World Cup".

FIFA announced the list of 10 nominees on 12 November 2014.

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition Vote percentage
1st Colombia James Rodríguez  Colombia  Uruguay 1–0 2014 FIFA World Cup 42%
2nd Republic of Ireland Stephanie Roche Republic of Ireland Peamount United Republic of Ireland Wexford Youths 2–0 2013–14 Women's National League 33%
3rd Netherlands Robin van Persie  Netherlands  Spain 1–1 2014 FIFA World Cup 11%
Unranked Australia Tim Cahill  Australia  Netherlands 1–1 2014 FIFA World Cup N/A
Spain Diego Costa Spain Atlético Madrid Spain Getafe 5–0 2013–14 La Liga
Mexico Marco Fabián Mexico Cruz Azul Mexico Puebla 1–0 Liga MX Clausura 2014
Sweden Zlatan Ibrahimović France Paris Saint-Germain France Bastia 1–0 2013–14 Ligue 1
Switzerland Pajtim Kasami England Fulham England Crystal Palace 1–1 2013–14 Premier League
Brazil Camilo Sanvezzo Canada Vancouver Whitecaps United States Portland Timbers 2–2 2013 Major League Soccer
Japan Hisato Satō Japan Sanfrecce Hiroshima Japan Kawasaki Frontale 2–1 2014 J.League Division 1

2015

FIFA announced the list of 10 nominees on 12 November 2015.

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition Vote percentage
1st Brazil Wendell Lira Brazil Goianésia Brazil Atlético Goianiense 1–0 2015 Campeonato Goiano 46.7%
2nd Argentina Lionel Messi Spain Barcelona Spain Athletic Bilbao 1–0 2014–15 Copa del Rey 33.3%
3rd Italy Alessandro Florenzi Italy Roma Spain Barcelona 1–1 2015–16 UEFA Champions League 7.1%
Unranked England David Ball England Fleetwood Town England Preston North End 2–2 2014–15 League One N/A
Uruguay Chory Castro Spain Real Sociedad Spain Deportivo La Coruña 2–1 2014–15 La Liga
United States Carli Lloyd Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of Japan.svg Japan 4–0 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup
France Philippe Mexès Italy Milan Italy Inter Milan 1–0 Friendly
Cameroon Marcel Ndjeng Germany SC Paderborn England Bolton Wanderers 3–1 Friendly
Costa Rica Esteban Ramírez Costa Rica Herediano Costa Rica Saprissa 3–1 Liga FPD Invierno 2014
Argentina Carlos Tevez Italy Juventus Italy Parma 4–0 2014–15 Serie A

2016

FIFA announced the list of 10 nominees on 21 November 2016.

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition Vote percentage
1st Malaysia Mohd Faiz Subri Malaysia Penang Malaysia Pahang 4–1 2016 Malaysia Super League 59.46%
2nd Brazil Marlone Brazil Corinthians Chile Cobresal 3–0 2016 Copa Libertadores 22.86%
3rd Venezuela Daniuska Rodríguez  Venezuela  Colombia 1–0 2016 South American U-17 Women's Championship 10.01%
Unranked Spain Mario Gaspar  Spain  England 1–0 Friendly N/A
South Africa Hlompho Kekana  South Africa  Cameroon 2–1 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
Argentina Lionel Messi  Argentina  United States 2–0 Copa América Centenario
Brazil Neymar Spain Barcelona Spain Villarreal 3–0 2015–16 La Liga
Spain Saúl Ñíguez Spain Atlético Madrid Germany Bayern Munich 1–0 2015–16 UEFA Champions League
Wales Hal Robson-Kanu  Wales  Belgium 2–1 UEFA Euro 2016
Finland Simon Skrabb Sweden Åtvidabergs Sweden Gefle 1–0 2015 Allsvenskan

2017

Arsenal Vs Burnley (24642895021) (cropped)
Olivier Giroud's backheeled "scorpion kick" volley was described by then-Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger as one of the five best in his Arsenal reign.

FIFA announced the list of 10 nominees on 22 September 2017.

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition Vote percentage
1st France Olivier Giroud England Arsenal England Crystal Palace 1–0 2016–17 Premier League 36.17%
2nd South Africa Oscarine Masuluke South Africa Baroka South Africa Orlando Pirates 1–1 2016–17 South African Premier Division 27.48%
3rd Venezuela Deyna Castellanos  Venezuela  Cameroon 2–1 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 20.47%
Unranked Ghana Kevin-Prince Boateng Spain Las Palmas Spain Villarreal 1–0 2016–17 La Liga N/A
Argentina Alejandro Camargo Chile Universidad de Concepción Chile O'Higgins 3–1 Campeonato Nacional Apertura 2016
France Moussa Dembélé Scotland Celtic Scotland St Johnstone 5–2 2016–17 Scottish Premiership
Colombia Avilés Hurtado Mexico Tijuana Mexico Atlas 1–1 Liga MX Clausura 2017
Croatia Mario Mandžukić Italy Juventus Spain Real Madrid 1–1 2016–17 UEFA Champions League
Serbia Nemanja Matić England Chelsea England Tottenham Hotspur 4–2 2016–17 FA Cup
Spain Jordi Mboula Spain Barcelona Germany Borussia Dortmund 4–1 2016–17 UEFA Youth League

2018

FIFA announced the list of 10 nominees on 3 September 2018.

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition Vote percentage
1st Egypt Mohamed Salah England Liverpool England Everton 1–0 2017–18 Premier League 38%
2nd Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo Spain Real Madrid Italy Juventus 3–0 2017–18 UEFA Champions League 22%
3rd Uruguay Giorgian de Arrascaeta Brazil Cruzeiro Brazil América Mineiro 1–0 2018 Campeonato Mineiro 17%
Unranked Wales Gareth Bale Spain Real Madrid England Liverpool 3–1 2017–18 UEFA Champions League N/A
Russia Denis Cheryshev  Russia  Croatia 1–0 2018 FIFA World Cup
Greece Lazaros Christodoulopoulos Greece AEK Athens Greece Olympiacos 2–2 2017–18 Superleague Greece
Australia Riley McGree Australia Newcastle Jets Australia Melbourne City 1–1 2017–18 A-League
Argentina Lionel Messi  Argentina  Nigeria 1–0 2018 FIFA World Cup
France Benjamin Pavard  France  Argentina 2–2 2018 FIFA World Cup
Portugal Ricardo Quaresma  Portugal  Iran 1–0 2018 FIFA World Cup

2019

FIFA announced the list of 10 nominees on 19 August 2019.

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition
1st Hungary Dániel Zsóri Hungary Debrecen Hungary Ferencváros 2–1 2018–19 Nemzeti Bajnokság I
2nd Argentina Lionel Messi Spain Barcelona Spain Real Betis 4–1 2018–19 La Liga
3rd Colombia Juan Fernando Quintero Argentina River Plate Argentina Racing 1–0 2018–19 Superliga Argentina
Unranked Brazil Matheus Cunha Germany RB Leipzig Germany Bayer Leverkusen 4–2 2018–19 Bundesliga
Sweden Zlatan Ibrahimović United States LA Galaxy Canada Toronto FC 1–3 2018 Major League Soccer
Cameroon Ajara Nchout Flag of Cameroon.svg Cameroon Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand 2–1 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup
Italy Fabio Quagliarella Italy Sampdoria Italy Napoli 3–0 2018–19 Serie A
United States Amy Rodriguez United States Utah Royals FC United States Sky Blue FC 1–0 2019 National Women's Soccer League
Northern Ireland Billie Simpson Northern Ireland Cliftonville Ladies Northern Ireland Sion Swifts Ladies 1–2 2018 Women's Premiership
England Andros Townsend England Crystal Palace England Manchester City 2–1 2018–19 Premier League

2020

FIFA announced the list of 11 nominees on 25 November 2020.

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition
1st South Korea Son Heung-min England Tottenham Hotspur England Burnley 3–0 2019–20 Premier League
2nd Uruguay Giorgian de Arrascaeta Brazil Flamengo Brazil Ceará 3–0 2019 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
3rd Uruguay Luis Suárez Spain Barcelona Spain Mallorca 4–1 2019–20 La Liga
Unranked Costa Rica Shirley Cruz Flag of Costa Rica.svg Costa Rica Flag of Panama.svg Panama 3–1 2020 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship
England Jordan Flores Republic of Ireland Dundalk Republic of Ireland Shamrock Rovers 2–3 2020 League of Ireland Premier Division
France André-Pierre Gignac Mexico UANL Mexico UNAM 3–0 Liga MX Clausura 2020
Wales Sophie Ingle England Chelsea England Arsenal 3–0 2019–20 FA WSL
Austria Zlatko Junuzović Austria Red Bull Salzburg Austria Rapid Wien 6–1 2019–20 Austrian Bundesliga
South Africa Hlompho Kekana South Africa Mamelodi Sundowns South Africa Cape Town City 1–0 2019–20 Premier Soccer League
Ecuador Leonel Quiñónez Ecuador Macará Ecuador Universidad Católica 1–0 2019 Ecuadorian Serie A
Scotland Caroline Weir England Manchester City England Manchester United 1–0 2019–20 FA WSL

2021

FIFA announced the list of 11 nominees on 17 January 2022.

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition
1st Argentina Erik Lamela England Tottenham Hotspur England Arsenal 2–1 2020–21 Premier League
2nd Iran Mehdi Taremi Portugal Porto England Chelsea 1–0 2020–21 UEFA Champions League
3rd Czech Republic Patrik Schick  Czech Republic  Scotland 2–0 UEFA Euro 2020
Unranked Colombia Luis Díaz  Colombia  Brazil 1–0 2021 Copa América
France Gauthier Hein France Auxerre France Niort 3–0 2020–21 Ligue 2
Austria Valentino Lazaro Germany Borussia Mönchengladbach Germany Bayer Leverkusen 3–4 2020–21 Bundesliga
Algeria Riyad Mahrez  Algeria  Zimbabwe 2–0 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
Ghana Sandra Owusu-Ansah Ghana Supreme Ladies Ghana Kumasi Sports Academy Ladies 1–1 2020–21 Ghana Women's Premier League
Greece Vangelis Pavlidis Netherlands Willem II Netherlands Fortuna Sittard 1–0 2020–21 Eredivisie
Mexico Daniela Sánchez Mexico Querétaro Mexico Atlético San Luis 3–2 Liga MX Femenil Guardianes 2021
Scotland Caroline Weir England Manchester City England Manchester United 3–0 2020–21 FA WSL

2022

FIFA announced the list of 11 nominees on 12 January 2023.

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition
1st Poland Marcin Oleksy Poland Warta Poznań Poland Stal Rzeszów 1–0 2022 PZU Amp Futbol Ekstraklasa
2nd France Dimitri Payet France Marseille Greece PAOK 2–0 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League
3rd Brazil Richarlison  Brazil  Serbia 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup
Unranked Italy Mario Balotelli Turkey Adana Demirspor Turkey Göztepe 7–0 2021–22 Süper Lig
Argentina Francisco González Metilli Argentina Central Córdoba Argentina Rosario Central 1–0 2022 Liga Profesional
France Amandine Henry France Lyon Spain Barcelona 1–0 2021–22 UEFA Women's Champions League
France Théo Hernandez Italy Milan Italy Atalanta 2–0 2021–22 Serie A
Australia Alou Kuol  Australia  Iraq 1–0 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup
France Kylian Mbappé  France  Argentina 2–2 2022 FIFA World Cup
Spain Salma Paralluelo Spain Villarreal Spain Barcelona 1–0 2021–22 Liga F
England Alessia Russo Flag of England.svg England Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden 4–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2022

2023

FIFA announced the list of 11 nominees on 22 September 2023.

Rank Player Team Opponent Score Competition
1st Brazil Guilherme Madruga Brazil Botafogo-SP Brazil Novorizontino 1–0 2023 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B
2nd Portugal Nuno Santos Portugal Sporting CP Portugal Boavista 1–0 2022–23 Primeira Liga
3rd Paraguay Julio Enciso England Brighton & Hove Albion England Manchester City 1–1 2022–23 Premier League
Unranked Argentina Álvaro Barreal United States FC Cincinnati United States Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2–0 2023 U.S. Open Cup
Colombia Linda Caicedo Flag of Colombia.svg Colombia Flag of Germany.svg Germany 1–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
South Korea Kang Seong-jin South Korea South Korea Jordan Jordan 2–0 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup
Australia Sam Kerr Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Flag of England.svg England 1–1 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
Uruguay Brian Lozano Mexico Atlas Mexico América 2–2 Liga MX Clausura 2023
Spain Iván Morante Spain Ibiza Spain Burgos 1–0 2022–23 Segunda División
Kazakhstan Askhat Tagybergen  Kazakhstan  Denmark 3–2 UEFA Euro 2024 qualification
Brazil Bia Zaneratto Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil Flag of Panama.svg Panama 3–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

Awards won by nationality

Country Win(s) Year(s)
 Brazil &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 2011, 2015, 2023
 Portugal &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 2009
 Turkey &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 2010
 Slovakia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 2012
 Sweden &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 2013
 Colombia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 2014
 Malaysia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 2016
 France &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 2017
 Egypt &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 2018
 Hungary &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 2019
 South Korea &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 2020
 Argentina &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 2021
 Poland &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 2022

Most nominations received

Lionel Messi 2018
Lionel Messi has been nominated a record 7 times, more than any other in the award's history, but has never won the award.
Player Nominations
Argentina Lionel Messi 7
Brazil Neymar 5
Sweden Zlatan Ibrahimović 4
Serbia Nemanja Matić 2
Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo 2
Uruguay Giorgian de Arrascaeta 2
South Africa Hlompho Kekana 2
Scotland Caroline Weir 2

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Premio Puskás para niños

  • FIFA Ballon d'Or
  • The Best FIFA Football Awards
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