The Art of the Bicycle Kick: Le Ner's Stunning Winner Secures People's Puskas Award

In the world of football, few moments capture the imagination like a perfectly executed bicycle kick. This year, the People's Puskas Award for the best amateur goal was claimed by Jonathan Le Ner, a 35-year-old department store employee from western France, whose stunning goal has become the talk of the football community.

The Winning Goal

Le Ner's goal, scored in the rolling countryside of the Pays de La Loire, was a masterclass in timing and technique. As the ball came in from a cross, Le Ner adjusted his body, leaped into the air, and delivered a perfectly timed bicycle kick that sent the ball crashing into the net. Reflecting on the moment, Le Ner said, 'In the moment, I didn't realise the move I had made, but thanks to the Veo, I was able to review my goal and see that I had done something beautiful, magnificent.'

The Role of Technology

The Veo camera, developed by a Danish company, has revolutionized amateur football by allowing teams to record matches and capture moments that would otherwise be missed. This technology has not only helped players like Le Ner to analyze and improve their game but also brought amateur football into the spotlight. Veo created the People's Puskas Award to celebrate the best goals scored at the amateur level around the world.

The Road to Victory

Over 2,000 goals were submitted for this year's award, with the finalists being narrowed down through public votes on social media. Le Ner faced stiff competition from Loubier, an attacking midfielder from Étoile Sportive Trouy, whose dipping effort was also a testament to the beauty of amateur football. However, it was Le Ner's bicycle kick that ultimately prevailed, winning by a margin of just 88 votes out of more than 12,000 cast.

Community and Support

Both finalists were supported by their communities, with Le Ner receiving backing from Ligue 1 club Angers, where he spent two years in the academy. 'I would like to express my gratitude to my loved ones, my friends, my teammates, my coaches as well as my club and all the neighbouring clubs, the people of Mauges ... Your support means a lot to me,' Le Ner said.

The Future of Amateur Football

Le Ner's victory is a testament to the growing popularity of amateur football, facilitated by technology and social media. Automated cameras like Veo's have turbocharged this trend, allowing amateur teams to showcase their talents to a global audience. Traditionalists may scoff, but amateur football is undeniably moving into the mainstream.

As Le Ner himself put it, 'It's not an action that you see in every match. Personally, I've never seen one in any of the matches I've played at a senior level ... And it's still an exceptional move compared to some other goals, even if they were all beautiful.'