Arsenal have received nominations for both the Puskas award and the Marta award, with Declan Rice, Mariona Caldentey, and Kyra Cooney-Cross making the shortlists.
FIFA have confirmed their nominees for both the 2025 Puskas award and the 2025 Marta award, with Arsenal players involved in both categories.
For the Puskas award, Declan Rice has received a nomination for his free-kick in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid. To be more specific, his second free-kick goal of the game.
It’s hard to imagine any Arsenal fan needs reminding about the goal, but it’s worth highlighting the circumstances.
With Rice having already scored one free-kick earlier in the game, up against 6’7″ Thibaut Courtois in goal, the Arsenal midfielder’s execution needed to be absolutely perfect to have a chance of going in. There was no chance of taking the goalkeeper by surprise this time.
But the shot couldn’t have been better placed, hitting the proverbial postage stamp in the top corner.
As for the Marta award, Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey has been nominated, with another goal any fan of the Arsenal Women won’t need reminding about.
Arsenal were level at 2-2 with Lyon in the Women’s Champions League semi-final at the time, and Caldentey curled a shot into the top corner from outside the penalty area despite being in the middle of a crowd of defenders.
Arsenal’s Kyra Cooney-Cross has also been nominated, but not for a goal for the Gunners. Cooney-Cross’ long-distance effort for Australia last October has made the shortlist, with the 23-year-old lobbing the Germany goalkeeper.
And former Gunner Vivianne Miedema is also on the shortlist for a swivelling move with the Netherlands against Wales.
Voting is now open in both categories: