Thursday 24 November 2016, 11:08

Marlone’s magic scissor kick

The announcement of the winner of the FIFA Puskás Award is set to be one of the highlights at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2016™. On the night of 9 January 2017, from a field of three finalists, one strike will be chosen by fans from around the world to receive the accolade of Goal of the Year.

One of the goals bidding for a place in that final group of three was scored by Brazilian Marlone back in April of this year, in a first-round match of the Copa Libertadores. The 24-year-old is now hoping to become the third Brazilian to win the award following the achievements of his fellow countrymen Neymar (in 2011) and Wendell Lira (2015).

On 20 April, Corinthians welcomed Chilean side Cobresal to Sao Paulo, aiming to qualify for the quarter-finals as Group 8 winners. Marlone, starting a match for the first time in 70 days following a spell on the sidelines through injury, opened the scoring with a header. Later on, with his side 2-0 up, the fair-haired midfielder from Agustinopolis would sprinkle the match with a touch of genuine magic.

The move started with some intricate interplay between Edilson and Luciano Neves down the right. Edilson burst forward and swung over a cross, which Marlone controlled on his chest. The ball seemed to be hanging tantalisingly out of his reach, but Marlone had one last trick up his sleeve, improvising to spectacular effect with a mid-air scissor kick that nestled sweetly in the corner of the net. The Arena Corinthians roared its approval.

Such was the goal’s impact that Marlone quickly became the #3 trending topic around the world on Twitter, and #1 in Brazil. Brazil’s current head coach, Tite, was on the Corinthians bench that night, and he had the press room laughing afterwards with his enthusiastic reaction to what he had just seen. “That was a golazo!” he exclaimed.

“I’m really quite excited, I’m speechless,” said the midfielder after the match. “Until Sunday, I’d been receiving treatment at the club. But I’ve come back stronger.” In a recent video, he claimed to be ‘very happy’ with his nomination. “Maybe I can win,” he quipped.

If he does, it will be thanks to your votes. Watch the 10 nominees now, and pick your favourite! The three finalists will be revealed on 2 December.