While the FIFA Puskás Award is dedicated to highlighting the most beautiful goals scored by professional players at the ultimate end of the game, it’s good to know that the millions of equally spectacular goals scored at amateur level are now being treated with the same level of respect.
Danish sports-tech company VEO launches the People’s Puskas Award to highlight world-class goals scored not in front of thousands of fans in the game’s biggest stadiums but in front of a dozen people in parks, school grounds and amateur pitches around the world.
Since 2022, the award has given a platform to the best goals scored at the grassroots and junior levels of the game – the only condition being that they must be captured on camera.
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2023 award Welsh amateur player Mason Evans won for Ynyshir Albions for his powerful volley, while 2024 award Jonathan Le Ner takes his spectacular overhead kick for Avenir Sport Saint-Pierre Montrevalt in the French County Cup tie.
Eight goals were shortlisted for the 2025 award and, after polling voters around the world on social media, we can reveal the final ranking and absolute winner, who can now claim his rightful place as the scorer of one of the greatest grassroots goals ever recorded on film.
quarterfinalist
Josh Beilby (Lethbridge FC, Canada)
With Lethbridge trailing by two goals at the time, Belby brought his team back into the game with a spectacular strike from distance against the Calgary Rangers to make the score 2–1 after 76 minutes of play. Inspired by Beilby’s effortless 35-yard hit, Lethbridge grabbed a late equalizer and thus saved a valuable point.
Explaining his thinking behind the goal, Belby said: “We are 2-0 down and there is not much time left. Let’s go forward with the right technique.”
Noé Plard (Aubrey Chaudron FC, France)
After trying and failing to convert an almost identical overhead kick in a game two years earlier, Plard mustered the courage to make another attempt during the regional Under-17 Cup final between Aubrey Chaudron and Feuillet-Chaucier. This time, there was no mistake as Plard’s flying volley helped his team claim the trophy.
“Thanks to VEO, people really believed me when I said I had scored such an incredible goal in a cup final,” Plourd said.
Yannick Schlatter (FC Niederweiningen, Switzerland)
After undergoing lengthy rehabilitation for two separate ACL injuries, Schlatter showed that he is back to full fitness with a ridiculous fleet-footed goal against FC Seuzac in the regional third division in Zurich by putting his team 3–0 ahead. With two defenders in front, the forward cleverly maneuvered between them before lobbing the ball past the goalkeeper.
“For me, it’s more than just a goal,” Schlatter said. “This is proof that I never gave up.”
Lee Wort (AFC Portchester, England)
Portchester managed to beat Melksham Town in their replay fa cup The opening round was tied thanks to a brilliant individual goal from Wort, who brought a long ball down over his shoulder with a featherlight first touch and then cut inside and finished with an outrageous rabona.
Wort said: “I’m glad it happened because I don’t think he would have been very happy to have missed the chance to go 3-0 up!”
semi final
Rahim Jaber (Queens Park Crescent FC, England)
A throw-in was fired out of the penalty area and clear to safety, only for Jaber to join the race. He connected with an absolutely powerful 30-yard strike that beat the Stopsley goalkeeper to put Crescent 1–0 up in the Bedfordshire Premier Division.
“I just remember the ball going out of the throw-in, and as soon as I saw it bounce towards me from about 30/35 yards away, immediately I knew ‘I’m going to hit it,’ and I caught it easily,” Jaber said.
Alex Ricort (FC Ronin, Catalonia)
After seeing Rekort speed up to dart behind the opposition defensive line, the Ronin center back sent a long ball over the top, which the striker quickly controlled with his right foot before lifting an inch-perfect lobbed shot past the stranded goalkeeper with his left foot.
runner up
Ken Harris (Phoenix FC, Australia)
Harris lit up the Sydney league last year with an effortless long-range goal. The Phoenix forward took advantage of a breakdown in Glebe Wanderers possession, latching onto a loose ball and firing a 40-yard first-time shot from the right onto the touchline.
“As I pushed towards the ball, I looked up to where the ‘keeper was and I saw him move off his line a little bit, so I decided to shoot,” Harris said. “As soon as the ball left my foot, I knew it was going in.”
winner
Billy Tabb (Grangewell AFC, Republic of Ireland)
Tab had to improvise when a looping cross into the box from the right flank forced him to check his run. After spinning on his heels, the Grangewell forward lofted the ball with his head and fired a brilliant twisting overhead volley into the top corner.
“As soon as the ball was parked, I just went for it,” Tabb said. “When he left my leg, I knew he had a chance!”
