Lionel Messi couldn't be left out of the list of nominees for the 2019 Puskas Award. Of all the amazing goals scored by the Argentine forward during the past year, the last one he scored in Barcelona's 4-1 victory against Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín stadium ended up being included in the shortlist of ten candidates for this award.
In that match, Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick, but it was the third goal that allowed him to be considered for the Puskas Award. In the 85th minute of the match, after a wall pass with Ivan Rakitic around the Betis' area, the 'Flea' chipped a shot with his left foot towards the opponent's goal, taking advantage of Pau López's anticipation.
López had moved just a few steps forward, but Lionel Messi's shot was executed with such precision that the ball ended up going over the Spanish goalkeeper. He stretched his arm upwards in an attempt to deflect the ball but it was in vain: it hit the crossbar and went into Betis' net.