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The World football governing body, FIFA has revealed the top three contenders for the Puskás Award across men's and women's football as the winner is set to be announced at The Best awards ceremony on February 27, 2023. A total of 11 goals were initially nominated for the Puskás Award and the finalists have been selected by the fans and expert panelists, who voted on FIFA’s official website.
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Polish amputee football player Marcin Oleksy, Marseille captain Dimitri Payet and Brazil and Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison are the three finalists for the FIFA Puskás Award.
Take a look at the three finalists for the Puskas Award:
1. Marcin Oleksy
Polish amputee football player Marcin Oleksy scored a spectacular overhead kick in the PZU Amp Futbol Ekstraklasa 2022 on November 6, 2022. While playing for his Polish side Warta Poznan against Stal Rzeszow in the PZU Amp Futbol Ekstraklasa 2022, Oleksy pulled off a stunning bicycle kick to score a goal for his team.
Oleksy was a former goalkeeper until he was hit by a car at the age of 23, leading the doctors to amputate his left leg.
2. Dimitri Payet
Marseille captain Dimitri Payet is known for his long-range shots and on April 7, 2022, the 35-year-old French midfielder pulled off a sensational half volley from outside the box to stand a chance to win the Puskas Award on February 27 in Paris. During their UEFA Europa Conference League quarterfinal match against Greek club PAOK Thessaloniki, Payet scored a stunning 25-yard volley after receiving a corner pass from Cengiz Under.
Payet was named in the Team of Season for both Ligue 1 and the Europa Conference League in the 2021-22 season as he contributed 16 goals and 13 assists in 46 appearances for Marseille.
3. Richarlison
The 25-year-old Brazil and Tottenham Hotspur forward, Richarlison produced an amazing acrobatic volley in the FIFA World Cup 2022 and won the Goal of the Tournament award. During Brazil's 2-0 group stage victory over Serbia, Richarlison received a pass from Vinicius Jr. inside the box and tossed the ball in air with his first touch to eventually score a scissor-kick goal beyond goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Richarlison scored three goals in four matches in the FIFA World Cup 2022 as Brazil were knocked out on penalties by 2018 World Cup runners up Croatia.
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