VIDEO: Van Persie, Ibrahimovic, Rodriguez, Costa highlight finalists for Goal of the Year

by
Michael Dalder / REUTERS

The finalists for the most visibly attractive plays in football were announced Wednesday as FIFA named the 10 finalists for the Puskas Award.

The award is given annually to the player that produces the best goal throughout the football year, as voted by the fans on the governing body's website.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 2013 Puskas Award winner, will have a chance to defend his title after producing a goal few players around the world can replicate. Three goals from the 2014 World Cup made the cut, including Robin van Persie's superb header for the Netherlands and James Rodriguez's ridiculous volley shot for Colombia.

Other nominees include Marco Fabian's beautiful 20-yard chip for Cruz Azul, Steph Roche's Ibrahimovic-esque triple volley goal for Peamount United of the Women's National League in the Republic of Ireland and Hisato Sato's looping shot for Sanfrecce Hiroshima of the Japanese league.

Here's several of the nominees doing the unthinkable:

Robin van Persie (Netherlands) vs. Spain:

WorldStarFootball ☑️'s post on Vine

James Rodriguez (Colombia) vs. Uruguay:

James Rodriguez's post on Vine

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG) vs. SC Bastia:

Soccer Universe™'s post on Vine

Tim Cahill (Australia) vs. Netherlands:

Soccer Edits's post on Vine

Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid) vs. Getafe:

Beautiful Futbol Goals's post on Vine

Pajtim Kasami (Fulham) vs. Crystal Palace:

Hamodovic ♡'s post on Vine

Video of all nominees can be seen here.

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