Some actions are worth a thousand words, as Jordi Mboula knows only too well. An unassuming character off the pitch and in front of the cameras, the precocious Spaniard tends to let his feet do the talking, and that was exactly what he did – in some style – on 22 February 2017, earning himself a nomination for the FIFA Puskás Award in the process.

It was in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Youth League, in front of a fortunate crowd of 1,700 at the Miniestadi stadium, that Mboula enjoyed his moment of glory, in a match between Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund that finished 4-1 to the home side.

Barça supporters are used to seeing Lionel Messi beat several players during scintillating runs for the senior XI, but they were perhaps not expecting to witness a similar phenomenon while watching the club’s youth team.

After picking up the ball on the right flank, just inside the Dortmund half, the dynamic youngster took a leaf out of the aforementioned Argentinian’s playbook, employing an impish “roulette” to get away from his man and bursting down the wing with impressive pace. As he entered the box, he used quick close control to jink his way between two defenders, before slotting the ball calmly past the goalkeeper.

As if his raw skills were not majestic enough, the Catalan prodigy also produces quantity as well as quality: he was the joint-top goalscorer in the 2016/17 UEFA Youth League with eight goals. The 18-year-old now showcases his skills with Monaco, for whom he signed six months after scoring his now-famous goal.

“It’s important not to give too much importance to his goal, because otherwise that kind of hype can turn into the opposite of what a player needs to develop his potential,” then Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said at the time. Fortunately, Mboula is not the type to get carried away, despite the remarkable nature of his solo effort. You now have the chance to register your opinion of the memorable strike with one click.

Mboula’s gem is one of the ten goals nominated for the 2017 FIFA Puskás Award, the winner of which will be decided by FIFA.com users. The prize will be handed out on 23 October at The Best FIFA Football Awards™ ceremony in London. Please vote now!