Alejandro Garnacho wins Fifa Puskas award for stunning goal… days after being dropped from squad for Manchester derby
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO won the Fifa Puskas award for best goal – just days after being dropped from the Manchester United squad.
Garnacho and Marcus Rashford were left out the side that travelled to the Etihad for the City derby.
United went onto win 2-1 thanks to late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo.
And Old Trafford boss Ruben Amorim suggested the snub was down to performances in matches and in training.
But Garnacho did get something to smile about after being awarded the Puskas award for his bicycle kick stunner against Everton in November 2023.
The Argentine was not in Qatar to collect the award as Vinicius Jr won the night’s top prize.
The Real Madrid superstar scooped the men’s player of the year gong ahead of Rodri and Jude Bellingham.
It comes after he was pipped to the Ballon d’Or by Manchester City’s Rodri in what was deemed a shock.
But Vinicius appeared emotional on stage as he collected his Fifa best award in Qatar.
The award – for football from August 2023 to August 2024 – was decided by a mix of public vote, one journalist from each country and the captain and manager of each national team.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Each group’s vote counted for 25 per cent, with Carlo Ancelotti taking the best men’s coach award.
It followed after Ancelotti led Vinicius & Co to the Champions League and LaLiga title.
Vinicius scored 24 goals in 39 appearances last season – including one in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
Real Madrid were already in Doha for Wednesday’s Fifa Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican side Pachuca at Lusail Stadium.
Fifa actually revealed details on who each coach and captain voted for.
England’s Harry Kane voted for Rodri with international team-mate Bellingham second and Vinicius third.
Former interim manager Lee Carsley picked Bellingham, Rodri and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke and Wales manager Craig Bellamy both chose Rodri as their top pick.
Wales captain Aaron Ramsey voted for Vinicius while Northern Ireland skipper Paddy McNair chose Rodri.
Brazil’s captain and manager both went for Vinicius but their Spanish counterparts selected Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal.
Lionel Messi won the best player for the last two years while Robert Lewandowski had won it in 2021 and 2022.