- Launched incredible effort from inside centre circle
- Is up for one of the sport’s most prestigious individual awards
- Award has previously been won by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar
Former Melbourne City midfielder Terry Antonis has earnt a 2024 FIFA Puskas Award nomination for his spectacular goal against Western Sydney Wanderers last season.
The Puskas Award is given to the player who scores the goal of the year in world football.
Antonis’ effort was a audacious strike from about 45 metres launched from inside the centre circle in City’s 7-0 thrashing of his old club Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park on March 12.
The 31-year-old former Socceroo, who now plays for Thai club Uthai Thani, is one of 11 nominees for this year’s award, which is named after Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás, who coached South Melbourne in the old National Soccer League from 1989 to 1992.
‘To be in that bracket is something amazing and something I will cherish forever,’ Antonis said.
‘It’s definitely up there for the best goal I’ve scored in my career, (and) against your old club, that’s what you want to do.’
Fans can vote for their favourite goal of the 11 on the FIFA website until December 10.
Previous winners of the Puskaas Award include superstar trio Cristiano Ronaldo (2009), Neymar (2011) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2013).
Other Australians to have been nominated in the past for the award are Sam Kerr (2023), Alou Kuol (2022), Riley McGree (2018), Tim Cahill (2014) and Lisa De Vanna (2013).
Ironically, Antonis’ nomination has come on the eve of another battle between Melbourne City and Western Sydney at AAMI Park.
City coach Aurelio Vidmar said his players were itching to play, having not had match since beating Perth Glory 5-0 om November 10 due to the recent FIFA international break and a bye last weekend.
‘It’s been a little bit tough for us,’ Vidmar admitted.
‘We had a good win against Perth, and then going into the international break, like everyone else was fine, but then the extra week (off) with the bye, it was a little bit strange.
‘We probably lost a little bit of momentum. We might be a little bit rusty, but … we just have to cope with it.
‘We’ve had two pretty good weeks on the training track, so we’re ready to go.’
City will chase its fourth win from five A-League matches this season, while the Wanderers will be determined to bounce back from last Saturday’s 4-2 derby loss to Sydney FC.
Western Sydney coach Alen Stajcic said: ‘We need a reaction again. We need to go out and play with a positive intent. We have to get over the hump of playing in patches.’
