2015 Puskas Award Winner Wendell Lira Retires to Fulfill FIFA Video-Game 'Dream'

If the average footballer had scored a goal like Wendell Lira’s 2015 Puskas Award winner, they may have hung up their boots for good, knowing things wouldn’t get much better than that moment. It’s an action the man himself is set to follow, as he seeks to recreate similar remarkable moments in the FIFA video-game series. 

Indeed, the Brazilian is set to embark on a new challenge, as he seeks to conquer the world of virtual football after rubbing shoulders with the stars at the Ballon d'Or ceremony earlier this year.

Lira told Globo TV (h/t, per AS):

"

The project is to set up a YouTube channel. Seriously, I’ve always seen videogames as something important. I was always passionate about football, but before that I had videogames. They form part of my life. …

My dream now is to become world FIFA champion, and I want to dedicate myself to getting that title.

"

The forward also cited problems with injuries as well as the “lies and dirtiness” of the game as motivating factors for calling time on his professional career.

Lira shot to prominence when he beat Lionel Messi and Alessandro Florenzi in the FIFA poll to determine the best goal of the last calendar year. Here’s a reminder of the stunning strike:

The 27-year-old scored the goal for Brazilian side Goianesia in a 2-1 win over Atletico-Go. Despite the wonderful overhead kick, Lira didn’t stay with the club for long, as he had spells at Tombense and Vila Nova before deciding to end his playing days.

While a future career playing video games may not sound the most stable way to make a living, Lira has a strong track record when it comes to the FIFA series.

Per AS, he’s been top of the South America leaderboard for the game and is the champion in his region of Goias. Lara also has a win secured against the 2015 FIFA world champion, Abdulaziz Alshehri.