FIFA names 10 nominees for 2012 Puskas Award

PanARMENIAN.Net - FIFA has announced the 10 nominees for the 2012 Puskas Award, a list of the top 10 "most beautiful" goals of the year, Goal.com reported.

The list was compiled by a panel of experts and members of FIFA's Football Committee, though the winner will be determined by a public vote.

There are no English nominees and just one representative from the Premier League: Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa for his goal against Blackburn in the FA Cup.

Ben Arfa joins Ghana international Agyemang Badu, Atletico Madrid's Radamel Falcao, Eric Hassli of Vancouver Whitecaps, Nacional Potosi's Gaston Mealla and Fenerbahce duo Moussa Sow and Miroslav Stoch.

Last year's winner, Neymar, is also on the list, while Lionel Messi is seeking the one individual accolade that has so far evaded him.

Women's football is represented by Olivia Jimenez's long-range strike for Mexico against Switzerland at the Women's Under-20 World Cup.

The first round of voting ends on November 29 with the award handed over on January 7 at the Ballon d'Or Gala.