The top ten nominations for UEFA’s goal of the 2014/15 season have been revealed, and while the most of the usual suspects have made the cut, there are also a couple of surprises in there as well.
The shortlist was voted for by UEFA Football Committee and the UEFA Technical Observers, with the public now able to pick who they think should be the winner, with the result being unveiled ahead of the Champions League group stage draw on August 27th.
The full list includes Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Leo Messi, Aaron Ramsey, Erik Lamela, Robbie Muirhead, Kevin De Bruyne, Vasyl Kobin, Vitorino Antunes and Belgium’s female international Mariam Abdulai Toloba, but here are the ones we think are the top five contenders.
Aaron Ramsey v Galatasaray
Arsenal fans will be delighted with Aaron Ramsey’s inclusion, and given the award is actually voted for by fans, if you fancy making some money on an easy bet, get down to the bookies and put some cash on the Welshman winning, because we all know what Arsenal fans and their polls are like.
The goal itself was a beauty and would be a worthy winner, but quite if the likes of Ronaldo and Messi would agree is another matter altogether.
Vasyl Kobin v Legia Warszawa
You’ve probably not heard of Vasyl Korbin given he plays for FC Metalist Kharkiv, but after this world class goal during their Europa League campaign last season, you really should have.
The assist was pretty special, but the bicycle kick really was something else, and has to make the top five, if not the top three after propelling Kobin’s name into the YouTube hall of fame.
Robbie Muirhead v Norway
Imagine having scored one of the best goals that you will ever net in your entire career, for the Scotland Under 19s side – and then finding yourself up against Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo for the best goal of the entire season.
That is exactly what the Dundee United player has seen happen, and it must be quite surreal for him, and while it is the stuff of dreams, after watching the goal there is no doubt whatsoever that he fully deserves to be on the list through merit alone.
Neymar v PSG
Barcelona were sublime en-route to winning the Champions League last season, and Lionel Messi is also a nominee for his goal against Bayern Munich, which was a sweet chip over Manuel Neuer, but this move from Andres Iniesta and Neymar is sensational.
To say football porn really doesn’t cover it, with the skill shown by both players being out of this world, and if anything Iniesta was actually better than Neymar here.
Erik Lamela v Asteras Triplois
Everyone loves a rabona goal, and this one from the Spurs player was an absolute peach. It came during their drubbing of the Greek side and was easily the best goal of the bunch, arguably of Spurs’ entire season – even with all those Harry Kane efforts to pick from.
One that will be watched again and again, it was a high point in an indifferent season for the creative star, and one of those flashes of talent that convinced the club to sign him in the first place.
