Lioness Alessia Russo has been nominated for a prestigious prize for her cheeky backheeled goal that helped England on their way to European glory.

The Maidstone-born footballer is in the running for Fifa's Puskás Award which is given to the player judged to have scored with the most aesthetically pleasing strike.

Other nominees include former Manchester City star Mario Balotelli, Lyon's Amandine Henry and French left-back Théo Hernandez.

There are 10 other players up for the award against Russo.

The 23-year-old striker has been nominated for her goal against Sweden in the Women's Euros semi-final last summer which led the team to a 4-0 win.

The Lionesses were already 2-0 ahead when Russo was introduced in the second half.

After Russo had an effort from close range saved, she chased down the ball and whipped out a backheel that nutmegged the keeper for England’s third.

It was a goal which drew plenty of attention on social media.

Russo made five appearances from the bench, bagged four goals and helped the women's team beat Germany in front of a record-breaking Wembley crowd during the tournament.

Her success has now paved the way for others in the county to lace their boots up and help the women's game evolve.

Following the famous goal, her former youth team coach said it was clear to him she was going to go right to the very top from an early age.

Colin Whitfield initially came across Alessia while coaching her brother Giorgio at Bearsted FC.

The forward has come a long way since then, signing for Manchester United in 2020 and making her England debut that same year.

The FIFA Puskás Award was first won by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.

It was most recently won by former Tottenham winger Erik Lamela.