Black Stars and West Ham forward Mohammed Kudus has earned a nomination for the prestigious FIFA Puskás Award 2024. The award recognizes the best goal scored in world football, and Kudus is among the 11 nominees announced by FIFA on Friday.
The Ghanaian international was nominated for his stunning strike against Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League on March 14, 2024. The goal, which showcased his exceptional skill and precision, has earned widespread admiration and placed him in contention for one of football’s top accolades.
Kudus is joined on the shortlist by other African stars, including Nigeria’s Paul Onuachu, who plays for Southampton, Algeria’s Yassine Benzia, and Denis Omedi. Global stars such as Manchester United and Argentina forward Alejandro Garnacho and Inter Milan and Italy left-back Federico Dimarco have also made the list, further underscoring the competitive nature of this year’s awards.
In addition to the Puskás nominations, several other African players have been recognized in different categories. Super Eagles players Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong are contenders for The FIFA Best XI, while Nigerian star Asisat Oshoala has been shortlisted for the FIFA Marta Award, which celebrates excellence in women’s football.
The 2024 FIFA Best Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in January 2025, where winners across all categories will be announced. Kudus’ nomination marks another proud moment for Ghanaian football, highlighting the forward’s remarkable talent and contributions on the global stage.