As far as FIFA's Ballon d'Or title goes, each year it's normally clear which player is going to win the coveted prize.
However, the beauty of the Puskas Award is that it can literally be won by any footballer, regardless of ability.
Here, Sports Mole has ranked the 10 goals, scored between October 2013 and September of this year, that have been nominated for the accolade, which was established back in 2009.
10. Camilo Sanvezzo (Vancouver Whitecaps)
When executed correctly, there are few better sights in football than a scissor-kick goal. Here, Brazilian playmaker Sanvezzo rescued a point for the Whitecaps against the Portland Timbers when he powered an acrobatic effort from just inside the penalty area into the bottom corner of the net.
9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain)
The big Swede was an unranked nominee in 2012 and he went on to win it last year with his goal from distance against England. This time around, the PSG frontman is back. Standing with his back to goal and being closely marked, it seemed logical for the centre-forward to bring down a high ball. In true Ibrahimovic fashion, though, he somehow flicked the ball into the far corner with his heel.
8. Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)
The Spanish champions scored seven goals against Getafe at the Vicente Calderon, but Chelsea-bound Costa fired in the pick of the bunch. In scoring his 36 goals last term, the Spanish international often showed great predatory instincts, but here he displayed athleticism as his overhead kick left the visiting goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
7. Hisato Sato (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
As the ball was rolled into the Japanese striker with his back to goal, two opposition defenders approached. Yet, before either could steal back possession, Sato had flicked the ball up and then sent a looping volley over a stranded and bemused goalkeeper.
6. Robin van Persie (Netherlands)
Never has the term 'The Flying Dutchman' been so apt. The Netherlands captain managed to throw himself forward and arch his back enough all in one motion to meet Daley Blind's lofted pass. From there, the Manchester United striker managed to divert his diving header into the top corner of Iker Casillas's net, which sparked a memorable comeback from the Dutch.
5. Tim Cahill (Australia)
There was noting subtle about this goal, but that shouldn't take anything away from it. The cross into the box appeared to be speculative at best, but with his eyes firmly fixed on the ball, veteran Aussie Cahill lashed a volley into the net via the underside of the Dutch crossbar.
4. Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul)
There was bit of everything in this goal from the Mexican. First, the touch was near perfect and then he showed good strength to hold off his marker. After that, Fabian showed both great awareness and quality to chip the ball into the far corner of the net. He then produced a celebration to rival Marco Tardelli of 1982.
3. Stephanie Roche (Peamount United)
If this goal had been scored by the likes of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, it would be spoken about for years and years to come. When the ball arrived in Roche's vicinity 25 yards from goal, it didn't touch the ground again until it had nestled in the back of the net. The first touch sent her left, while her second saw her switch back in the opposite direction. It was then rounded off by the coolest of volleys.
2. Pajtim Kasami (Fulham)
The 2013-14 Premier League campaign may have been a disappointing one for Fulham, who were relegated, but there was a moment to remember courtesy of Kasami at Selhurst Park. Running from deep, the midfielder controlled the ball on his chest and despite running away from the target, he launched an instant volley over Julian Speroni.
1. James Rodriguez (Colombia)
It seemed a sure bet that Van Persie's headed effort would be voted the Goal of the Tournament at the summer's World Cup, but it wasn't to be. In the second round against Uruguay, Colombia's Rodriguez, who lit up the competition, sent a left-footed volley from 25 yards out into the net with the help of the woodwork. A goal of that standard alerted Real Madrid, who signed the 23-year-old from Monaco for a reported £60m.
FIFA will whittle the shortlist down to just three goals on December 1, before the winner is announced at a gala ceremony in Zurich on January, 12 2015.
Liam Apicella
