The prestigious FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of the year has been awarded to Santiago Montiel after his jaw-dropping overhead kick for Independiente against Independiente Rivadavia. Named in honour of legendary Hungarian forward Ferenc Puskás, the award celebrates the most spectacular strike in world football — and this year’s winner truly delivered.

Montiel’s sensational goal came during a Argentine Primera División fixture in May 2025. Spotting his opportunity from outside the penalty area, the 25-year-old unleashed an audacious bicycle kick, sending the ball looping over the goalkeeper and into the net in one fluid, instinctive motion.

“I didn’t think about it — I just hit it,” Montiel said afterwards, summing up the spontaneity and brilliance of a strike that quickly went viral across the global football community.

The goal stood out from a shortlist of ten nominees and sealed Montiel’s place in FIFA history. He is also the second Argentine in a row to lift the award, following Alejandro Garnacho, who claimed the honour in 2024.

Santiago Montiel, ganador del premio Puskas de la FIFA al mejor gol del año 🔥

¡Felicitaciones, Monti!#TodoRojo 🔴 pic.twitter.com/7hQ0HlKivm

— C. A. Independiente (@Independiente) December 16, 2025