Did you think Lionel Messi would win the FIFA goal of the year? Or that Barcelona haters would give the award to Alessandro Florenzi for scoring against the Blaugrana? Well, those two votes might have cancelled each other out somehow, because Brazilian second-division player Wendell Lira has won for this bicycle kick.
Wendell Lira upsets Lionel Messi for FIFA Puskas Award for goal of the year
Who saw this coming?
Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
This award regularly has numerous nominees from outside of the top professional ranks, but is generally won by a top player. Miroslav Stoch and Hamit Altintop are the most unconventional past winners, but both are full internationals and won with goals from major competitions. The other previous winners are some of the biggest stars in the sport -- James Rodriguez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Despite scoring this goal, Wendell Lira has not rocketed to fame and fortune in Brazil -- he’s actually dropped down a division! Since scoring this, he’s been fighting for a job in Brazilian Serie C.
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