Scandinavian scorpion kick joins Messi and Neymar goals on shortlist

A goal scored with a scorpion kick in the Swedish league was included on the shortlist for FIFA’s goal of the year award along with efforts from Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Mario Gaspar’s scissors kick in last year’s Spain against England friendly was also among the 10 candidates along with a winding solo effort from the women’s Under-17 South American championship, scored by Venezuela’s Daniuska Rodriguez.

Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo was missing, however, as none of the 49 goals he has scored in 2016 were considered worthy of inclusion.

The winner of the award will be  announced at FIFA’s annual player of the year ceremony on Jan. 9.

Simon Skrabb of Swedish side Atvidaberg scored one of the most unorthodox goals of the goals.

Kristian Bergstrom hit a hard, low cross into the area and, although the ball went behind Skrabb, the Finnish player threw himself forward and manage to turn it into the net with his raised heel.

It was reminiscent of the so-called scorpion save performed by Colombia goalkeeper Rene Higuita in a friendly against England in 1992.

Messi’s entry was a sublime free kick he scored in Argentina’s Copa Centenario match against the US while...