Could Riley McGree’s scorpion goal win the Puskas Award over global superstars Ronaldo and Messi?
RILEY McGree’s junior coach cannot believe his former Gawler Eagles star scored a goal that has been judged to be among the 10 most beautiful in the soccer world this year.
RILEY McGree’s junior coach cannot believe his former Gawler Eagles star scored a goal that has been judged to be among the 10 most beautiful in the soccer world this year.
Chris Hodgson nurtured McGree, a former Adelaide United midfielder, for about seven years when the left-footed marvel turned up to play under-6s at Gawler Eagles.
Hodgson said McGree should have a statue of his incredible goal planted at the Eagles’ home ground at Karbeethan Reserve if he beats global superstars Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Mohamed Salah and Gareth Bale when FIFA announces its Puskas Award winner on September 24 in London.
Currently on loan from Belgium’s Club Brugge to Melbourne City after a brief stint with Newcastle Jets, McGree, 19, attracted global attention when he scored a rare “scorpion” goal against his new club during the A-League’s final series in a 2-1 win at Newcastle Stadium in April.
“Riley would always be the kid to try something different whether it was during a game or at training,’’ said Hodgson who is currently Gawler Eagles’ senior men’s assistant coach.
“I never would have thought that Gawler Eagles would have a player that has a goal nominated to be the among the best in the world. Maybe not even in Riley’s wildest dreams but that goal deserves to be in that sort of company.
“I can’t remember him ever doing a scorpion kick in front of me but he liked practising for hours and hours the stuff that makes footballers better like set pieces and dribbling among other things.
“When he was really young he loved dribbling the entire opposition team and then he would score lots of goals.
“When you’re a quality kid playing against kids you’re going to beat everyone and that was Riley, he was doing things all by himself.”
Ronaldo has been nominated for a bicycle kick goal scored for his then club Real Madrid against his new club Juventus during last season’s UEFA Champions League campaign.
A week ago Ronaldo claimed UEFA’s goal of the year prize.
However, Manchester United’s legendary Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel wants McGree to claim the title over Ronaldo, Bale, Messi and Salah.
“If I was voting, I wouldn’t vote them (Ronaldo or Bale), I really love Riley McGree’s goal. That is extraordinary that,” Schmeichel said at the Best FIFA Football Awards finalists announcement yesterday.