Direct to Puskas: the spectacular rabona from an Argentine in the MLS that ranks among the best goals of the year

Joaquín Pereyra scored one of those goals that transcend a match and quickly travel around the world. The Argentine midfielder scored with a rabona in the 5-1 rout of Minnesota United over San Jose Earthquakes, in the 22nd round of the MLS, and his spectacular finish has already begun to be mentioned among the possible candidates for the Puskás Award given by FIFA for the best goal of the season.

The work of the player from Entre Ríos came at 9 minutes into the game, when his team was losing 1-0. Pereyra received the ball inside the area, positioned his body, and executed a rabona that went in next to the far post of goalkeeper Angus Gunn. Besides its spectacular nature, the goal had significant weight in the match's development: it meant the equalizer and initiated the comeback that ended in a resounding victory.

Beyond that finish, the Argentine had a standout night, as he also provided an assist and was directly involved in two of his team's five goals, in a performance that made him one of the stars of the match.

At 27 years old, the midfielder is also going through a very good moment in Minnesota. In his last 14 appearances, he has accumulated 10 direct goal contributions and, for the season, he has 3 goals and 7 assists in 21 matches. His production is also reflected in his overall numbers since arriving in the United States: he has 13 goals and 24 assists in 79 matches.

Trained at Rosario Central and with a notable stint at Atlético Tucumán, where he even became captain, Pereyra found in the MLS a place to establish himself as one of his team's main creative weapons.

Although there is still no official nomination for the Puskás Award, the finish has already entered the conversation. And if FIFA is looking for the best goal of the season, Pereyra's rabona will have enough arguments to compete for a spot.