Riding his bike to victory: Wendell Lira wins FIFA Puskas Award for spinning bicycle kick
Lionel Messi can be defeated. All it takes is a once-in-a-lifetime spinning bicycle kick.
Brazilian Wendell Lira upset the Barcelona star at Monday's Ballon d'Or gala, and surprised much of the football world in the process by capturing the FIFA Puskas Award for scoring the best goal of 2015.
The tally, scored while the 27-year-old was playing with Goianesia in March of last year, beat out Messi's mind-bending solo goal against Athletic Bilbao, as well as Alessandro Florenzi's Champions League tally from midfield against Barcelona.
FIFA Puskas Award: 1.6 million fans voted! Wendell Lira 46.7%, Lionel Messi 33.3%, Alessandro Florenzi 7.1% of all votes. #BallondOr
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) January 11, 2016
"It is an honour to be here to get know famous players I've only seen on the screen before," Lira said while accepting the award. "I thank my family and all those who voted for me. I should like to thank my wife and my daughter."