Basically, I just wanted to post this video. It's fun and joyful and makes you want to scream and shout and WHOADIDHE/SHEJUSTDOTHAT?!
No current Chelsea players were nominated - Essien, for his bittersweet blockbuster vs. Barcelona, remains the only one in the award's five-year history to receive a nod - but just like last year with eventual winner Miroslav Stoch, there is a tenuous Chelsea connection: Nemanja Matic, of all people. Arguably, his shades-of-Zidane left-footed volley is the least impressive of all the goals but congrats to him anyways.
For the first time in four years, Lionel Messi isn't among the nominees, although his club teammate Neymar is with his effort from the Confederations Cup versus Japan. Another big name present is Antonio Di Natale with a jaw-dropping first-time volley, while fellow Serie A man Panagiotis Kone shows up with some sideways, mid-air contortions. There are bicycle kicks and power strikes and a 70-yard volley ... yet they're all going to lose to one man.
ZLATAN.