The nominations and betting odds for the Puskas Award 2024 are out, so it’s time to explore them and see if there are any good picks available.
Each of the nominees has scored a screamer, and it will be interesting to see who the fans and FIFA’s Puskas panel will vote for. Keep reading if you want to see some world-class goals, analysis of their chances to win, and my Puskas 2024 award predictions!
Puskas Award 2024 Betting Odds
We know all 2024 Puskas Award nominees, and you can bet on all of them at most online soccer bookmakers. Here are the current FIFA Puskas Award 2024 betting odds, courtesy of BetUS:
Contestant | Odds |
---|---|
Alejandro Garnacho | +125 |
Yassine Benzia | +150 |
Mohammed Kudus | +200 |
Walter Bou | +400 |
Denis Omedi | +600 |
Federico Dimarco | +800 |
Michaell Chirinos | +900 |
Paul Onuachu | +900 |
Jaden Philogene | +1000 |
Hassan Al Haydos | +1400 |
Terry Antonis | +2000 |
As you can see, this year’s Puskas Award is likely to go down between Garnacho, Benzia, and Kudus. If you see a price you like, BetUS is where you will find it.
Before we start dissecting the goals and making our predictions, let’s focus on how the Puskas Award winner is determined.
How is the Puskas Award Winner Determined?
Prior to the controversial Puskas Award in 2018, the fans were the only voting instrument. Nowadays, the Puskas Award winner is determined two parties – the fans and the panel of soccer legends selected by FIFA.
That’s important to know since players from clubs with a large following, such as Manchester United’s Garnacho, have the upper hand. However, that’s not a guarantee anymore, as the previous winner shows.
Last time out, the lucrative 2023 Puskas Award was given to Qatar’s captain Hassan Al-Haydos for the absolutely brilliant volley against China. This year’s Puskas Award will be awarded in January 2025.
Top Favorites for the Puskas Award 2024
As mentioned earlier, the current shortlist features 11 outstanding goals. Of course, some are better than others. We have to take into account factors like the quality of the goal, the luck factor, fan following, and league competitiveness.
According to these criteria plus the current Puskas Award 2024 betting odds (courtesy of BetUS), the following five players have the best chances of winning the flattering award:
Alejandro Garnacho (+125)
Garnacho’s bicycle kick masterpiece against Everton might just be the best goal scored last season. It was absolutely phenomenal, from start to finish. The cross was a bit too much, so Alejandro had to backtrack a few steps, only to jump sky-high and smash it in the top right corner.
Garnacho vs Everton is The goal of the season not that Caceido nonsense😂 pic.twitter.com/U0yGPLZz1C
— Abdi¹⁷(fan) (@Utdabdi17) May 20, 2024
Pickford was never going to catch it. No goalie would’ve caught that one. It came out of nothing, a total surprise that shocked everyone in the stands. If you add the huge following of the club and the super competitive nature of the EPL, this goal definitely deserves to win the Puskas Award.
Yassine Benzia (+15o)
Next up we have Yassine Benzia’s goal against South Africa. It’s one of the most acrobatic and creative goals I’ve ever seen. The Algerian didn’t have much space to maneuver. So, instead closing down, he used the first touch to raise the ball and then phenomenally strike it over the shoulder in a totally unexpected fashion.
For those that have not watched all the goals nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award 2024
Here you go!
Thread(1)
Yassine Benzia
Algeria vs South Africa pic.twitter.com/7GB6rWwObg— ٰ (@joshua_abaasa) November 29, 2024
This wasn’t even a promising chance, mind you. Benzia’s goal came seemingly out of nothing and is bound to be the dream goal of amateur footballers all across the globe.
The player is not well-known, which is one of the few downsides of backing Benzia. However, the finish is so insane that it might not matter.
Mohammed Kudus (+200)
Most of these goals are one or two-touch wonders. Rarely we see a player start from his own half of the pitch and make an incisive run with the ball only to slide it into the net.
🇬🇭 Mohammed Kudus’ goal vs Freiburg has been nominated for this year’s Puskas Award. pic.twitter.com/6HHA8X2pOa
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) November 29, 2024
Well, that’s exactly what Kudus did against Freiburg. He took possession deep in his own half, skimmed past half of Freiburg’s players and placed it in the bottom right corner. Best of all, he made it look that easy!
Kudus is popular in Africa and a star in the Premier League, but solo dribbles rarely win the award, so it’s probably not the best choice from a betting perspective.
Denis Omedi (+600)
Fans have high hopes for this one and you’ll understand why in a moment. You see, Denis Omedi scored an absolute screamer against KCCA. The first touch was with his back, followed by a kickback and then a masterpiece rabona that will go down in soccer history books.
🇺🇬 Denis Omedi’s goal has been nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award 2024. Voting is now open! #TheBest
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 3, 2024
Many fans believe this should be the 2024 Puskas Award winner… and while it is visually even more pleasing than Garnacho’s bicycle kick, I reckon the Red Devil has the upper hand simply because of the EPL’s popularity.
Other Contenders
The five aforementioned goals are the heavy favorites, not just according to the bookmakers but fans as well. However, the likes of Dimarco and Chirinos have scored outstanding goals too.
We have to give credit where it’s due, so feats your eyes on the following:
Federico Dimarco (+800)
Federico Dimarco scored a proper screamer in Inter’s 2:0 win against Frosinone In November 2023. The Italian international scored a screamer just outside the center circle, with the goalkeeper unable to backtrack in time to stop the effort.
It was a brilliant goal, one which Dimarco will have a tough time to outperform.
🚨 OFFICIAL: Federico Dimarco’s goal against Frosinone from the 2023-2024 season has been nominated for the 2024 FIFA Puskás Award! 🇮🇹⚽️⚫️🔵🏆 pic.twitter.com/MY5uZLZr6t
— Inter Xtra (@Inter_Xtra) November 28, 2024
You can sense the awe of everyone in the stands. The way they all rushed to the fence in amazement tells you all you need to know, really.
If you add the large following behind Inter Milan, this is arguably the best sleeper in the Puskas Awards odds.
Michaell Chirinos (+900)
If you’re a fan of volleys and first touch soccer, you’re going to love Chirinos’ effort against Costa Rica. Yes, his team lost the match, but they scored one of the prettiest goals of the season.
HONDURAS' MICHAELL CHIRINOS WITH AN ABSOLUTE GOLAZO AGAINST COSTA RICA 😱 pic.twitter.com/2Zmrm5ekQa
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 23, 2024
The charm of this goal is not limited to Chirinos’ volley. Yes, it was spectacular. Unearthly! But, Bengtson’s acrobatic assist was just as good. An acrobatic first touch pass from a difficult position combined with Chirinos’ superb volley. That’s what this Puskas Award 2024 nomination is all about!
Paul Onuachu (+900)
Talking of acrobatics, we can’t forget Paul Onuachu’s goal against Konyaspor. This goal was scored just 2 days before Dimarco’s. It was a fantastic acrobatic backheel finish that every amateur player dreams of.
#SaintsFC’s very own, Paul Onuachu’s goal last season vs Konyaspor has been nominated for the 2024 FIFA Puskas Award. 🇳🇬🤯pic.twitter.com/ERtectvqzF
— Just Saints (@JustSaints_) November 29, 2024
Realistically speaking, if this goal was scored in the English Premier League, it would definitely be the first choice for the 2024 Puskas Award. However, it was scored in a less competitive league (Turkish domestic league) and, despite its visually super looks, I doubt it’ll be the award-winning effort.
Puskas Award 2024 Prediction and Pick
Puskas and Ballon D’or awards are always a nightmare to predict. There are so many variables that have to be accounted for before making the final decision.
Take the current 2024 Puskas Award race – Garnacho’s goal has flair, once-in-a-lifetime visuals, and the aura of a highly competitive match. But, all 10 remaining goals fit the same description.
Remember, the award went to Hassan al-Haydos last time out… but many fans were unhappy with the decision. The 2024 award is bound to divide the fans too.
I believe Alejandro Garnacho’s goal will win the award because it came at the highest level of competitive soccer and Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world. It’s hard to compete with that, so getting plus odds for such a big favorite is the top 2024 Puskas Award prediction.