Alternative Puskas Nominees: Which Great Goals Could Have Been Considered?

The 10 nominees for the 2013 FIFA Puskas award were named on Monday, with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Nemanja Matic all hoping to be crowned scorer of the goal of the year.

A full list of the candidates can be found on the FIFA website—but did their panel choose the very best goals scored this year or have some worthy strikes been overlooked?

Of course, the sheer volume of goals scored around the world each year makes it inevitable that some truly great ones won't have made the cut, so this is our chance to assess who could have been in with a fighting chance of winning, had they been selected.

Jack Wilshere

We start with a familiar recent strike to watchers of Premier League football, with Arsenal's Jack Wilshere putting the finishing touches on a 10-pass move that started on the edge of their own penalty area.

"

What a quality goal yesterday from Jack Wilshere. Best of the season so far. Tiki-Taka with an end product #MadeInArsenal

— The 4th Official (@_4thOfficial) October 20, 2013"

There's a good chance this will end up being the goal of the season in England, even with such a long time remaining in this campaign.

Miralem Pjanic

AS Roma's cracking start to the season has been in no small part down to their miserly defence, but scoring goals like this at the other end doesn't hurt either.

"

Miralem Pjanic's 25-yard chip - already a contender for goal of the season - was so good that even Verona coach Andrea Mandorlini applauded

— Daniella Matar (@DaniellaMatar) September 1, 2013"

Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder Miralem Pjanic chipped in this beauty from range against Verona in Serie A, proving that power isn't always the best route to goal.

Pajtim Kasami

Back to the Premier League and Fulham's poor start to the campaign was recently brightened by this spectacular strike from Pajtim Kasami.

"

GOAL Palace 1-1 Fulham (19 mins). Wow. Pajtim Kasami scores one of the goals of the season, chesting down & volleying in from an acute angle

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 21, 2013"

A fantastic, first-time volley on the run from the right side of the penalty box beat the keeper all ends up, as Fulham secured a rare win against Crystal Palace.

Steph Roche

Over to the women's game now and Peamount United's Steph Roche.

"

Wilshere's goal is cute 'n all, but has nothing on this thronker from Steph Roche in the Women's League of Ireland. http://t.co/MBsf2eGXQH

— Conor McNamara (@ConorMcNamaraIE) October 19, 2013"

This fantastic piece of skill and equally impressive strike was scored in Ireland in the Bus Eireann Women's National League against Wexford Youths Women's AFC.

Raul Jimenez

A goal in the last few minutes of a World Cup qualifier is always a good place to score, and for Raul Jimenez and Mexico, it was extremely important as it kept them in the hunt for a play-off place.

"

I mean, Mexico have to score to stay alive. If it ends in a draw, they're not making the World Cup.And in the 85th minute, Jimenez does that

— Jonas Giæver (@CheGiaevara) November 11, 2013"

Wasn't a half-bad strike, either.

Edinson Cavani

Uruguayan forward Cavani has shown some considerable expertise in front of goal since moving to PSG this summer, but this goal tops the lot.

"

What a goal Cavani. Messi-esque. PSG 3-0 up against Bastia.

— Sergi Domínguez (@FutbolSergi) October 19, 2013"

Long range strikes, chips and fine control are all admirable, but there's something special about a solo run with good dribbling ability—and Cavani certainly provides that.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

This man could probably host his own Puskas award most years, but with one nomination in this year's event, he has a good chance of winning the main prize anyway.

"

What a superb goal from Ibrahimovic. Hattrick for Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Standing ovation from the Anderlecht fans. #andpsg #ucl

— BeNeFoot (@BeNeFoot) October 23, 2013"

Even so, his recent strike for PSG is certainly worth a shout, a long-range rocket into the top corner. With Cavani and Zlatan in the side, it's not hard to see why the French team are some viewers' pick for the Champions League this year.

This goal came against Anderlecht in the Champions League, his third of four strikes in that game.

Goalscoring Goalkeepers and More!

Of course, these are just a selection of top strikes from around the game which could have been considered.

Elsewhere, Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic recently scored from inside his own penalty area, while Matsumoto Yamaga stopper Tomohiko Murayama did likewise. Rafael van der Vaart netted a scissor-kick volley in Germany, Mario Balotelli hit a stunner against Brazil and Ivan Rakitic tonked in a 30-yarder in the Europa League recently.

Feel free to add your own suggestions in below, too, and vote for your favourite of the above goals which should have been nominated for this year's Puskas award.

Follow @karlmatchett