Premier League legend scored Goal of the Season with simply three toes on his foot
A Premier League cult hero scored the Goal of the Season from the halfway line despite having just three toes on his foot – but it didn’t stop him from writing his name in the history books
Maynor Figueroa scored his wonder goal against Stoke City with just three toes on his left foot
A former Premier League star had just three toes on his left foot – but that didn’t stop him from scoring one of the top-flight’s most famous goals.
Ex-Wigan Athletic defender Maynor Figueroa, who celebrated his 43rd birthday earlier this month, is widely remembered for his outrageous strike at the Britannia Stadium, which went on to deservedly win the Premier League’s 2009/10 Goal of the Season award.
There was seemingly no danger for Stoke City when Scott Sinclair won a free-kick just inside his own half but quick thinking from Figueroa saw him taken on an absurd effort.
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Spotting Potters ‘keeper Thomas Sorensen off his line, the defender launched the set-piece from more than 50 yards with the ball sailing over the Dane and into the back of the net. Though Sorensen did redeem himself by saving a late Hugo Rodallega penalty to claim his side a point.
Also a part of The Latics’ incredible FA Cup triumph, Figueroa proved his insane long-range effort was no fluke by scoring from 35-yards in a 4-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.
The Honduras international featured in every round for Roberto Martínez’s side but was cruelly ruled out of the final due to injury.
Nevertheless, Figueroa did receive an FA Cup winners’ medal before signing for newly-promoted Hull City upon Wigan’s relegation to the second-tier. Featuring 35 times for the Tigers during his two-year spell, City Boss Steve Bruce opted to release him after relegation to the Championship.
Figueroa though did manage to make it back to Wembley for another shot at FA Cup glory. But while injury ruled him out last time around, the Honduran was unable to make an appearance from the bench as the Tigers were defeated 3-2 by Arsenal.
Still captaining his national side at the age of 38, the former Wigan defender last played professionally for MLS side Houston Dynamo after a seven-year stint in America.
He has since dusted off his boots to play Sunday league football for Wythenshawe Vets alongside fellow former Premier League stars like Papiss Cisse, Emile Heskey and Stephen Ireland – not a bad career for someone with only eight toes.
