Brentford women’s forward Ashley Cheatley has been included alongside Declan Rice and Lamine Yamal on Fifa’s shortlist for the best goals of the past year.
The world governing body have announced the nominees for the Puskas and Marta Awards with Cheatley’s brilliant overhead kick in the Women’s FA Cup up for the latter.
Playing against Ascot United in November 2024, 30-year-old Cheatley controlled a bobbling pass into the box, flicked the ball up and acrobatically finished with her back to goal.
The goal puts Cheatley, who plays for the Bees in the fifth tier of the English women’s pyramid, in exulted company alongside a great in Marta and Lizbeth Ovalle, the most expensive player in the history of the women’s game.
Brazil forward Marta is in contention for the women’s prize that was named in her honour for a superb solo effort in the US National Women’s Soccer League.
The 39-year-old ran from inside the centre circle before feigning to shoot, taking two defenders out of the game simultaneously, and calmly rounding the goalkeeper.
Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw and Mariona Caldentey of Arsenal are also in the running for the Marta Award for goals scored against Hammerby and Lyon, respectively.
Another standout goal on the shortlist came from Ovalle for Tigres in Mexican Liga MX Femenil.
The Mexico winger, now of Orlando Pride, twisted in mid-air as she met a near-post cross with a stunning backheeled finish that arced up and over the helpless Guadalajara goalkeeper to find the far corner.
