FC Cincinnati left wingback Álvaro Barreal has been nominated for the 2023 FIFA Púskas Award, joining 10 other players on the shortlist.
Barreal's honor-worthy golazo came against USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in a June 6 US Open Cup quarterfinal that Cincinnati won 3-1. In the 71st minute, the Argentine first-time volleyed Luciano Acosta's corner kick from well outside the penalty box into the upper 90 with incredible whip and pace.
The Púskas Award is given to the player, man or woman, judged to have scored the most aesthetically significant goal regardless of league or nationality. After the nomination process, the winner and first two runner-ups are decided entirely by fan vote.
Barreal, a 2023 MLS All-Star, originally joined the Supporters' Shield leaders in 2020. He has 11 goals and 18 assists in 99 games, initially arriving from Vélez Sarsfield as a winger before transitioning deeper on the field.
Barreal, 23, is the fourth active MLS player to receive a Púskas Award nomination and could become the first-ever MLS winner. He joins:
- 2019: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, LA Galaxy
- 2014: Camilo Sanvezzo, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- 2012: Eric Hassli, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
