Troy Parrott has entered the conversation for the 2026 FIFA Puskas Award, joining a list of goals from some of the world’s top football stars including Premier League and La Liga players. The Irish forward’s recent strike has caught the attention of fans and pundits alike, positioning him alongside names like Nahuel Molina, Arda Guler, and Dominic Szoboszlai among the contenders for the prestigious prize.
Parrott’s goal, scored for Ireland, has been described simply as "incredible" by EuroFoot on October 1, 2026, reflecting the impact it has made. The Puskas Award recognises the best goal of the year, and this year’s shortlist comprises a variety of strikes that have wowed audiences across Europe’s top leagues and international tournaments.
Harrison Reed’s goal has been dubbed the 2025-26 Premier League goal of the season. The Fulham midfielder’s strike impressed from every angle, as shared by the Premier League’s official Twitter on January 4, 2026. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid’s Nahuel Molina delivered a goal considered one of the finest hits in football. Premier Sports praised his strike in March as a winner for his team, calling it a goal of the season contender.
Arda Guler’s long-range effort against Elche earned praise from former Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa, who said the goal was “unusual” and “wonderful,” adding he had “seen everyone throw their hands up in amazement.” The goal’s quality has been widely praised and is among the top candidates this year.
Michael Folorunsho’s strike for Parma against Cagliari has been noted for its extraordinary difficulty. Serie A’s official account highlighted the goal on February 28, 2026, pointing out the uniqueness of the shot given the body shape and position of the player, calling it an “absolutely brilliant strike.”
Benfica’s Rafa Silva produced a rabona goal that earned the attention of PortugueseSoccer.com in February. The improvisation and technical skill caught the eye, adding a creative flair to the shortlist.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Dominic Solanke netted a goal against AC Milan that was also a contender. The club’s official Twitter posted in February 2026 that the goal was “locked in” as a goal of the season candidate, particularly notable for beating the 6’5” frame of AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Ousmane Dembele’s goal for PSG against Lille was described as “poetry in motion” by fans, marking his place on the shortlist alongside some of football’s biggest names. Cristiano Ronaldo remains the only player to have won both the Ballon d’Or and the Puskas Award, and Dembele’s goal, while unlikely to join that exclusive club, is acknowledged for its quality.
Sidny Lopes Cabral’s goal for Cape Verde against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup knockout round brought a different kind of attention. FIFA highlighted the goal as the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament Round of 32 winner, noting its significance given the context — scoring against the reigning champions in a high-stakes match.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s effort was described as “pure filth” by Stop That Football on September 16, 2026, capturing the raw power and precision of the strike. Joao Cancelo also made the list with two remarkable goals for Barcelona, one of which was a long-range shot that crashed off the crossbar before going in.
The shortlist for the 2026 Puskas Award reflects a mix of technical brilliance, creative improvisation, and moments that combine skill with significant match context. Parrott’s inclusion alongside established stars like Molina, Guler, and Dembele signals recognition of his rising profile and the quality of his goal.
The list continues to evolve, with outlets like Planet Football and @planetfutebol inviting fans to suggest any goals they believe should be considered. The Puskas Award nominations will be confirmed later in the year, with the football world watching closely to see which spectacular strike will claim the honour.
According to Planet Football.
