It’s one of the greatest goals in Hyundai A-League history and Riley McGree’s stunning ‘scorpion kick’ goal has received global recognition with his nomination for the 2018 FIFA Puskas Award.
The teenager, who was playing for the Newcastle Jets at the time, scored his freak goal in last season’s Semi-Final win over his current club Melbourne City.
CONFIRMED: McGree’s ‘scorpion kick’ nominated for 2018 Puskas Award
And his incredible strike will be going up against nine other cracking goals from around the world, including dazzling efforts from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah.
McGree’s goal and the nomination has generated plenty of buzz, not only in Australia but right around the world.
You can vote to determine the winner of the 2018 award (for the period 3 July 2017 to 15 July 2018), who will be revealed at The Best FIFA Football Awards show in London on 24 September.
Finalists: FIFA #Puskas Award 🏆
⚽️ Bale
⚽️ Cheryshev
⚽️ Christodoulopoulos
⚽️ Ronaldo
⚽️ De Arrascaeta
⚽️ McGree
⚽️ Messi
⚽️ Pavard
⚽️ Quaresma
⚽️ Salah #TheBest #FIFAFootballAwards pic.twitter.com/IUTzYtfSrU— FIFA (@FIFAcom) September 3, 2018
While the sheer brilliance of McGree’s goal means we shouldn’t be surprised by his nomination in the prestigious award, it seems the man himself was taken aback by his selection alongside some of world football’s biggest names.
— Riley McGree (@McgreeRiley) September 3, 2018
Alongside some illustrious company
McGree faces some pretty stiff competition to take out the award, with stunning overhead kicks by Real Madrid’s Ronaldo against Juventus, as well as his then-teammate Gareth Bale in the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool.
Barcelona superstar Messi also made the cut for his classy goal for Argentina at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, while Egyptian whiz Salah is also there for his goal for Liverpool against city rivals Everton.
But there is plenty of support for the young Aussie to overcome some of world football’s biggest superstars.
Just give the Puskas award to Riley McGree 💥 pic.twitter.com/lafS5napOm
— JD Football (@JDFootball) September 3, 2018
McGree HAS to win this year's Puskas award. Yeah, Ronaldo and Bale both scored worldie overhead kicks, and De Arrascaeta's volley was 10/10, but I have NEVER seen a goal like Riley McGree's. A-League or not, unintentional or not, this wins it surely. pic.twitter.com/E6SG6Ofe1A
— ǝƃɹoǝ⅁ (@GeorgeLawry) September 3, 2018
Gareth Bale would deserve to win Puskas Award given circumstances of his goal. But this from Riley McGree (Newcastle Jets) surely the worthiest rival pic.twitter.com/6clKeWmxAp
— Oliver Brown (@oliverbrown_tel) September 3, 2018
Riley McGree, of the Newcastle Jets, makes today's 10 strong shortlist of FIFA Puskas award nominees for this freakish A-League goal. His name is slotted in above Lionel Messi in the running sheet. https://t.co/62jMejVmOB
— Jacquelin Magnay (@jacquelinmagnay) September 3, 2018
If anyone except Riley McGree wins the #Puskas this year then the game’s gone. https://t.co/fG1OwCFv9l
— JAKE BUCKLEY 🇦🇺 (@TheMasterBucks) September 3, 2018
If Giroud scorpion won it last year then I think McGree has too!
— Craig Fav (@Fav1993) September 3, 2018
Plenty of support for Riley’s stunner
While the calibre of goals for this year’s award are of the highest quality, McGree’s strike is fairly unique compared to the others.
But there may be an omen working in the Hyundai A-League star’s favour, with Frenchman Olivier Giroud’s scorpion kick against Crystal Palace winning the 2017 FIFA Puskas Award.
Regardless, there is plenty of support for McGree, even from fans of rival Hyundai A-League clubs.
Only time I want a Jets player to win anything give Mcgree the Puskas https://t.co/wgQKrddU0b
— Tom Hockman (@Tom_Hockman) September 3, 2018
Time to get behind @McgreeRiley and vote for his stunner in the @NewcastleJetsFC @ALeague Semi-final.
Come on Australian Football fans. We can get him over the line #SokkahTwitter #NTUA #Puskas https://t.co/y7HQIM2Kz3— David Keating (@jeterpool) September 3, 2018
Riley McGree is named one of the finalists for Puskas Award. Get in @McgreeRiley
— Justin 𝕏 (@FutbolJustin) September 3, 2018
Puskas Award nominees are out. Tbh, Riley McGree wins my vote
— riley 🔰 (@rrt_180) September 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/yoAlbertopp/status/1036614216151646208
Congratulations to @McgreeRiley! Named on the top 10 list for the FIFA Puskas Award. Was great to hear FIFA Legend Peter #Schmeichel single out Riley’s goal from the list as his favourite too! #TheBest – 24 September, London https://t.co/AjVepMgPht
— Sarah Widera (@SarahWidera) September 3, 2018
Congratulations @McgreeRiley on your FIFA #Puskas Award nomination! 🦂 pic.twitter.com/pCZRO841G3
— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) September 3, 2018
.@Cristiano Ronaldo ❌@GarethBale11 ❌
Lionel Messi ❌@MoSalah ❌@ManUtd legend @Pschmeichel1 is backing @McgreeRiley to win the #Puskas Award 🦂🇦🇺Full story – https://t.co/FQgKtH7FQM pic.twitter.com/rZdAId3LMu
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) September 3, 2018
