The 100 million midfield defensive anchor of Arsenal, Declan Rice has always been in spotlight. This is due to his boundless energy and defensive acumen. The 26-year-old Englishman signed from West Ham in 2023 has developed to become the defensive anchor and backbone of Mikel Arteta. He is spearheading the title push of the Gunners. However, on April 8, 2025, Rice was able to go beyond his position. He delivered a free-kick of audacious brilliance against Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the UEFA champions league. That goal got the nomination in the FIFA Puskas Award on November 13, 2025. It has put him in the spotlight of the world, facing such prodigies as Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
The Bernabéu Thunderbolt: Anatomy of Brilliance
Arsenal were trying to make a 1-0 goal in the 70th minute at the Santiago Bernabeu. They received a 25-yard free-kick that Rice took. This was following a poetry in motion: a swerving, dipping rocket which dodged the despair of Thibault Courtois, and darted into the top corner. The path of the ball, with a clock speed of 85 km/h, was not subject to physical laws, and the spirit of the award, the most beautiful goal, became a reality. Arsenal scored a 2-1 victory, going through on aggregate and shutting down its critics. It was billed by fans as the Puskas audition used by Rice, which is a rarity in a career characterized by assists rather than aesthetics.
🚨BREAKING! 💣
Declan Rice's second free kick against Real Madrid has been nominated for the 2025 Puskás Award. 🏴 💫
pic.twitter.com/THIa0ZG8xv
— AFC Xtra (@AFC__Xtra) November 13, 2025
Rivals and Road to Redemption
Rice is in charge of a star-studded 11-nominee list, featuring Yamal and his daring chip and AC Milan and Christian Pulisic volley. Voting opened via FIFA’s platform, blending fan passion with expert input. For Rice, fresh off Arsenal’s Premier League triumph last season, this nod validates his versatility. “It’s surreal,” Rice posted on X, crediting set-piece coach Nicolas Jover. Critics once questioned his attacking flair; now, they celebrate his growth.
Legacy Beyond the Lens
The nomination makes Rice an undisputed midfield metronome in England before Euro 2028. To Arsenal, it is another part of their revival, a combination of grit and glamour. When the votes happen, Rice, with his thunderbolt, is here to remind us of a fact. The real heroes, they make the strike when it is least expected, and a mark of eternity is made in 90 minutes.
As featured on GoonerNews.com