Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo would have backed Oscarine Masuluke 's goal as his preferred choice for the FIFA Puskas Award despite the goalkeeper eventually losing out to Arsenal's Olivier Giroud.
Masuluke missed out on becoming the first African to win the prestigious prize at the awards in London on Monday.
Giroud scooped 36.17% of the 792 062 votes cast while Masuluke received 27.48% . The third nominee, Venezuela's Deyna Castellanos, got
20.47% .
Ronaldo though, who was later in the evening crowned as the Best FIFA Men's Player, reserved special praise for Masuluke during the gala event.
"I like Olivier Giroud's goal, but I have to give credit to the goalkeeper. He (usually) never goes forward and he tried an amazing goal, too," he said during the FIFA awards gala.
"Both (goals) I think were great."
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane also named the South African when asked who he backed to win.
"It had to be the goalkeeper, with the bicycle kick. Incredible goal and celebration as well," he said.
Despite losing out on the award, Masuluke was hailed by Baroka FC boss Khurishi Mphahlele for putting the club on the global map.
"This moment ranks right up there with when we gained promotion to the Absa Premiership," Mphahlele was quoted by The Sowetan after the gala.
"It's something we can brag about that other teams cannot have. You could play 100 years and not come close to winning the award. It's something very special.
"As a club, it has given us great mileage and has raised our brand and profile."
Masuluke missed out on becoming the first African to win the prestigious prize at the awards in London on Monday.
Giroud scooped 36.17% of the 792 062 votes cast while Masuluke received 27.48% . The third nominee, Venezuela's Deyna Castellanos, got
20.47% .
Ronaldo though, who was later in the evening crowned as the Best FIFA Men's Player, reserved special praise for Masuluke during the gala event.
"I like Olivier Giroud's goal, but I have to give credit to the goalkeeper. He (usually) never goes forward and he tried an amazing goal, too," he said during the FIFA awards gala.
"Both (goals) I think were great."
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane also named the South African when asked who he backed to win.
"It had to be the goalkeeper, with the bicycle kick. Incredible goal and celebration as well," he said.
Despite losing out on the award, Masuluke was hailed by Baroka FC boss Khurishi Mphahlele for putting the club on the global map.
"This moment ranks right up there with when we gained promotion to the Absa Premiership," Mphahlele was quoted by The Sowetan after the gala.
"It's something we can brag about that other teams cannot have. You could play 100 years and not come close to winning the award. It's something very special.
"As a club, it has given us great mileage and has raised our brand and profile."
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