While the FIFA Puskás Award is dedicated to singling out the most beautiful goal scored by professional players at the elite end of the game, it’s nice to know that the millions of equally spectacular goals being netted at amateur level are now also being heralded with the same level of esteem.
Danish sport-tech company VEO launched the People’s Puskás Award to shine a spotlight on world-class goals that are scored not in front of thousands of fans at the game’s biggest stadiums but in front of a dozen folk on parks, school fields and amateur pitches across the globe.
Since 2022, the award has given a platform to the very best goals scored at the grassroots and junior levels of the game — with the only stipulation being that they must be caught on camera.
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The 2023 prize was won by Welsh amateur player Mason Evans for his thunderous volley for Ynyshir Albions, while the 2024 award was taken by Jonathan Le Ner and his sublime overhead kick for Avenir Sport Saint Pierre Montrevault in a French county cup tie.
Eight goals made the shortlist for the 2025 award and, following a poll of voters from around the world on social media, we can reveal the final ranking and the outright winner who can now claim their rightful place as the scorer of one of the greatest grassroots goals ever captured on film.
QUARTERFINALISTS
Josh Beilby (Lethbridge FC, Canada)
With Lethbridge trailing by two goals at the time, Beilby clawed his side back into their game against Calgary Rangers with a superb strike from distance to make the score 2-1 with 76 minutes played. Inspired by Beilby’s instinctive 35-yard hit, Lethbridge grabbed a late equaliser and thus salvaged a valuable point.
Explaining his thinking behind the goal, Beilby said: “We’re 2-0 down with not long to go. Let’s just power through with the right technique.”
Noé Plard (Aubry Chaudron FC, France)
After trying and failing to convert a near-identical overhead kick in a game two years previously, Plard summoned up the courage to have another go during the regional Under-17s cup final between Aubry Chaudron and Fuilet-Chaussaire. This time around, no mistakes were made as Plard’s flying volley helped his side claim the trophy.
“Thanks to VEO, people actually believed me when I said I’d scored such an incredible goal in a cup final,” Plard said.
Yannick Schlatter (FC Niederweningen, Switzerland)
After having to go through lengthy rehab for two separate ACL injuries, Schlatter showed he was back to full fitness with a ridiculously fleet-footed goal to put his side 3-0 up against FC Seuzach in the regional third division in Zurich. Fronted up by two defenders, the forward jinked between them with a sequence of deft feints before bending the ball past the goalkeeper.
“For me, it’s more than just a goal,” Schlatter said. “It’s proof that I never gave up.”
Lee Wort (AFC Portchester, England)
Portchester managed to see off Melksham Town in a replay of their FA Cup preliminary round tie thanks to a sublime individual goal from Wort, who brought a long ball down over his shoulder with a featherlight first touch before cutting inside and finishing with an outrageous rabona.
Wort said: “I’m just glad it came off because I don’t think the gaffer would have been too pleased missing a chance to go 3-0 up!”
SEMIFINALISTS
Raheem Jabar (Queens Park Crescents FC, England)
A throw-in was cleared out of the penalty area and to apparent safety, only for Jabar to race in. He connected with an absolutely almighty 30-yard strike that rocketed past the Stopsley goalkeeper to put the Crescents 1-0 up in the Bedfordshire Premier Division.
“I just remember the ball getting headed out from the throw-in, and as soon as I saw it bouncing towards me from about 30/35 yards out, immediately I knew ‘I’m gonna hit this,’ and I just caught it sweet,” Jabar said.
Aleix Recort (FC Rönin, Catalonia)
After seeing Recort motioning to dart in behind the opposing defensive line, the Rönin center back sent a long ball over the top, which the striker quickly brought under control with his right foot before lifting an inch-perfect lobbed shot over the stranded goalkeeper with his left.
RUNNER-UP
Kane Harris (Phoenix FC, Australia)
Harris lit up the Sydney leagues last year with an instinctive long-range goal. The Phoenix forward capitalised on a breakdown in possession for Glebe Wanderers, latched on to a loose ball and powered a 40-yard first-time shot home from right out on the touchline.
“As I pushed towards the ball, I glanced up to see where the ‘keeper was and saw him slightly off his line so I decided to shoot,” Harris said. “As soon as the ball left my foot, I knew it was going in.”
WINNER
Billy Tabb (Grangevale AFC, Republic of Ireland)
Tabb had to improvise when a looping cross into the box from the right flank forced him to check his run. After spinning on his heels, the Grangevale forward juggled the ball with his head and unleashed a spectacular twisting overhead volley into the top corner.
“As soon as the ball sat up, I just went for it,” Tabb said. “When it left my foot, I knew it had a chance!”
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