Puskas Award winner in utter disbelief as long-range overhead kick gets heartwarming reaction
Brazilian midfielder Guilherme Madruga was left utterly stunned to be put on the same stage as the world’s best players by winning the Puskas Award.
Madruga, who plays for Botafogo-SP in the Brazilian second division, won the highly-coveted award for the best goal of 2023 for a long-range overhead kick.
The 23-year-old had plenty of competition, but made it to the final three alongside Brighton’s Julio Enciso for his strike against Manchester City in May and Sporting CP’s Nuno Santos who scored a Rabona against Boavista in March.
The long-list included a whole host of stars from across men’s and women’s football, but even landing a spot in the final three Madruga clearly wasn’t expecting much.
However, when his name was read out, the camera panned to the midfielder, who looked completely shell shocked.
Wearing a headset for translation, Madruga looked around in disbelief before being called up on stage.
His goal, which came in June against Novorizontino, saw him spectacularly bicycle kick a loose ball outside the box and over the goalkeeper.
Taking to the stage with Thierry Henry and Reshmin Chowdhury, Madruga said: «Today is a unique day for me, for sure.
»It will be part of my history, and stay in my memory and all of those who were part of my path as a player.
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