Fifa Puskas award winner Wendell Lira retires to begin new career as professional gamer


THE latest Fifa Puskas award winner has retired from football to become a professional gamer.

Brazilian Wendell Lira, 27, scored the best goal of 2015 ahead of Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez.

Wendell Lira has retired from football to start a career as a professional gamer
Wendell Lira has retired from football to start a career as a professional gamer
Brazilian striker Wendell Lira is teary-eyed as he collects the Fifa Puskas award in January
Brazilian striker Wendell Lira is teary-eyed as he collects the Fifa Puskas award

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His swivelling bicycle-kick for Goianesia against Atletico Goianiense was voted top ahead of the two Argentinian superstars.

But Lira now plans to set up a YouTube channel playing EA Sports game Fifa.

He said: "My dream is to become Fifa world champion."

The striker was emotional when announcing his retirement, but thanked God for giving him the opportunity to find a new career path.

He added: "I define my life in two dreams - one possible and another almost impossible.

"One was to be a player and have achievements, which is difficult because, in Brazilian football, it is difficult to become professional.

"In fact, 95 per cent of football players from Brazil have difficulties. I lived 15 years in football, and had good times and bad.

Instagram Photo

Instagram Photo

Instagram Photo

"I had pleasant moments I'll never forget. I played alongside big stars too. I had pleasure being a guy who was actually accomplished at football.

"And I had the dream of being a gamer, I always had this desire to live it.

"It is almost impossible to stop playing football to live as a gamer, but God gave me this opportunity.

"It is not the end of a dream. In fact, God has given me the opportunity to have this job as a follow-up in my life, being happy and continuing with that smile."

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