Messi among UEFA Goal of the Season contenders

Barcelona star Lionel Messi is among the 10 players who have made UEFA’s shortlist for the 2015-16 Goal of the Season award, covering last season’s European club competitions and the Euro 2016 finals.

Messi’s flick past Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny after a team move involving Neymar and Luis Suarez in the 6-1 Champions League group-stage victory is on the list alongside Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez’s solo effort against Bayern Munich in the semifinal first leg.

Gonzalo Higuain’s solo run and fierce strike for Napoli against Legia Warsaw in the Europa League is also a contender, with spectacular efforts from Juan Cuadrado and Stephan Lichtsteiner for Juventus also recognised.

The goals chosen from Euro 2016 are Xherdan Shaqiri’s acrobatic late equaliser for Switzerland against Poland and Marek Hamsik’s strike for Slovakia against Russia.

That means Zoltan Gera’s strike for Hungary against Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo’s header for Portugal against Wales - voted first and second respectively by fans for Euro 2016’s Goal of the Tournament award - are not under consideration.

Also nominated for the Goal of the Season award are Barcelona youngster Carlos Alena’s mazy dribble against Roma in the UEFA Youth League, Camille Abily’s overhead kick for Lyon against Sparta Prague in the Women’s Champions League and Ricardinho’s special strike for Portugal against Serbia at Futsal EURO 2016.

Fans can vote online at UEFA.com until Aug. 23 to choose their favourite goal from the shortlist chosen by UEFA’s expert panel.

A similar online vote has been launched allowing supporters to choose their Save of the Season.
Tottenham and France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris features for both club and country, with saves from Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon, Arsenal’s David Ospina and Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer also highlighted.

The winners of both competitions will be revealed on Aug. 25 ahead of the Champions League group-stage draw.