Seven Nominations, Zero Wins: The only award that Lionel Messi has failed at

Lionel Messi has won it all during his incredible career. Well, almost all, since one award has defied him despite seven nominations

Argentine football demi-god Lionel Messi has won so many individual accolades that he could lose some without even noticing.

The World Cup winner has been named the Ballon d’Or winner a record eight times, and also claimed four FIFA Player of the Year awards in his stellar career, in addition to two World Cup Golden Balls, six European Golden Boots, and countless LaLiga Player of the Year awards.

Given the nature of Messi’s incredible trophy cabinet, it is easy to think that the former Barcelona star has won every award of note that he has come across, but there is one accolade that has continually evaded the little magician, and that is the FIFA Puskas award.

The FIFA Puskás Award is an esteemed recognition in the world of football, celebrating the most beautiful and impressive goal scored each year. Named after Hungarian football legend Ferenc Puskás, the award has been an integral part of football's annual ceremonies since its inception in 2009.

Criteria for the Puskás Award

The award's criteria focus on the aesthetic and technical quality of the goal. It emphasizes the significance of the goal being not a result of luck or errors but rather a display of skill and creativity.

The criteria also uphold the principles of fair play and state that a player cannot be nominated for two different goals in the same year. The selection process initially relied solely on fan voting but was later adjusted to include a panel of experts who choose from the top three fan-voted goals.

Lionel Messi's Nominations and Near Wins

Messi, a name synonymous with football excellence, has been nominated for the Puskas Award seven times, reflecting his extraordinary ability to score breathtaking goals. However, he has never won the award.

Notable nominations include his second-place finishes in 2011 for his stunning goal against Arsenal and in 2015 for his incredible solo effort against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Success in the Puskás Award

In contrast to Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, another football great, won the first Puskás Award in 2009 for his 40-yard strike against Porto.

He has been nominated twice for the award, showcasing his own prowess in scoring remarkable goals.

Other notable Puskás Award Winners

The Puskás Award winners represent a diverse group of footballers from around the world, including Neymar, who beat Messi to the punch in 2011, James Rodriguez for his otherworldly 2014 World Cup volley, Mohamed Salah, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who won the award in 2013.

Other remarkable awardees include Wendell Silva Lira, whose career was saved when his goal in 2015 beat Messi’s strike and amputee Marcin Oleksy, whose stunning bicycle kick won the award in 2022.

Messi's Legacy Beyond the Puskas Award

While Lionel Messi has not won the Puskás Award, his absence from its list of winners does not diminish his legendary status in the football world. His numerous Ballon d'Or wins and a plethora of team and individual honours solidify his position as one of the greatest football players in history. Messi's ongoing quest for the Puskás Award remains a focal point of interest for his fans and football enthusiasts worldwide.

Lionel Messi's career, filled with extraordinary achievements and accolades, has one notable exception: the FIFA Puskás Award. This award, representing the epitome of skillful and beautiful goal-scoring, remains an accolade that Messi has yet to claim, adding an intriguing layer to his already illustrious career​​​​.

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