Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven left fans in awe with a breathtaking goal reminiscent of his ex-teammate Son Heung-min's Puskas Award-winning moment. The Dutch defender's extraordinary run and finish against Copenhagen on Tuesday night sparked comparisons with Son's iconic goal against Burnley six years ago, leading some to wonder if van de Ven could be next in line for the prestigious FIFA Puskas Award.
Van de Ven's goal was a sight to behold. He weaved through the Copenhagen defense, covering the entire length of the pitch with the ball at his feet. His searing pace and precise dribbling skills allowed him to burst through gaps and sidestep opponents, eventually reaching the halfway line. From there, it was a straight foot race to the goal, and no one could keep up. Despite the intense sprint, van de Ven maintained his composure to fire off a clinical finish past the visiting goalkeeper.
The comparison with Son's 2019 goal is striking. While van de Ven's start was more explosive, Son's finish was more measured. However, the run and overall path were remarkably similar. The similarity in the goals has already sparked speculation about van de Ven's potential Puskas Award nomination.
Van de Ven's goal not only contributed to Tottenham's 4-0 victory over Copenhagen but also showcased his exceptional skills. After the game, TNT Sports interviewed him, and he humorously revealed that he saw the gap and started dribbling, feeling confident in his ability to keep going. Tottenham's head coach, Thomas Frank, praised van de Ven's performance, drawing a parallel to Lionel Messi's ability to run down the field and score.
The Puskas Award, presented by FIFA, recognizes the best goal of the year. Son won the 2020 award for a goal remarkably similar to van de Ven's. However, van de Ven will have to wait for the 2026 award, as the nominations for 2025 are already closed. The cutoff point is typically in August, meaning goals from the 2025-2026 season won't be considered until the 2026 gala.
Despite the wait, van de Ven's goal has already left a lasting impression, and fans are eagerly anticipating his future achievements.
