Seattle Sounders FC attacker Pedro De la Vega has been officially shortlisted for the 2025 FIFA Puskás Award, the international honor given each year to the player judged to have scored the most spectacular goal in world soccer. The nomination makes De la Vega the first Seattle Sounders player to be recognized on the Puskás shortlist, placing the Argentine winger alongside some of the world’s biggest stars in the global game.
The Puskás Award—named after Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás—is presented annually by FIFA to celebrate a truly outstanding goal scored anywhere in the world within the year’s eligible period (in this case from August 11, 2024 to August 2, 2025). De la Vega earned his nomination for a stunning volley he struck for the Sounders in their 7-0 rout of Cruz Azul during the 2025 Leagues Cup, a goal that drew widespread praise for its technique and timing.
In that match on July 31, 2025, De la Vega not only scored the highlight-reel goal late in the match but also contributed to one of the most dominant performances in Seattle’s recent history. His Puskás-nominated strike came from a swift cross-field delivery, which he met with a first-time right-footed volley that flew past the goalkeeper and into the net, a finish that excited fans and analysts alike.
FIFA’s list of nominees for the 2025 Puskás Award includes goals from players across the globe, with household names like Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal also featured. Voting for the award is open to fans on FIFA.com, and will be combined with a panel of experts before a winner is announced during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in December.
De la Vega’s inclusion on the shortlist is a milestone for Seattle soccer—a recognition on the global stage that highlights not just the quality of the strike itself, but also the growing prominence of the Sounders in international competition. For the Argentine winger, it caps a season in which he played a key role in Seattle’s success and helped cement himself as one of Major League Soccer’s memorable attacking talents.
Fans have already taken to social platforms to show their support and encourage voting for De la Vega’s goal, reflecting excitement around what could be a landmark moment for both the player and the club.
As De la Vega awaits the final outcome, his nomination alone stands as a significant recognition of individual brilliance and places a Seattle Sounders player in the discussion for one of soccer’s most distinguished individual goal awards.