Olivier Giroudās āscorpion kickā wins Puskas award as Cristiano Ronaldo becomes āBest Player-2017ā
Arsenal forward Olivier Giroudās audacious scorpion kick against Crystal Palace last January has won him FIFA's Puskas Award as the best goal of the year on Monday. Cristiano Ronaldo won FIFAās Best Player award for the fifth time after a brilliant 2016-2017 with La Liga champions Real Madrid.
Arsenalās French forward overcame competition from Venezuela Under-17 women's striker Deyna Castellanos and South African goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluketo to lift the award of the best goal. The goal came from an Alexis Sanchez cross when Giroud attempted to flickĀ a volley with his left foot after he had run ahead of it.
It was the first goal of Arsenalās 2-0 win over Crystal Palace and although it didnāt get the Premier League goal of the season award, it was declared the winner at a ceremony held at the London Palladium on Monday. His goal won 36.17% of the 792,062 votes cast.
FIFA Puskas Award winner 2017: @_OlivierGiroud_ ššš
ā Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) October 23, 2017
Congratulations Oli, we're all proud of you š #TheBest#NaNaNaNaa š¦š pic.twitter.com/JZfuTf9NOC
Accepting the award, Giroud said, "First of all I have to say it's an honour for me. I'm delighted to receive this trophy today in front of legends of football. Now
Among the other most coveted awards, Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo won this yearās FIFA best player award, as he now joins nemesis Lionel Messi as a five-time winner of the award. Messi finished runners-up to him with Paris Saint-Germainās NeymarĀ at the third position. Ā
32-year old Ronaldo had a marvellous 2017 where he won the La Liga, Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Best Player and FIFA Best Player. Expressing his happiness, he said, āThanks for voting for me. Mention for Neymar, Messi who are here. RM supporters, teammates, coach, president for their support.ā
The team of the 2016-17 was also announced at the FIFA Best ceremony. With Italyās Gianluigi Buffon at the post, the 4-3-3 squad had Dani Alves, Leonardo Bonucci, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo at the back. The three-man midfield had Luka Modric, Andres Iniesta and Toni Kroos, while the three forward comprised of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.
The prestigious event had numerous footballing stalwarts in attendance like Diego Maradona, Ronaldo, Frank Lampard, Sergio Ramos and Harry Kane, with winners decided by a jury of