It comes to something when the story is that an Albion player did NOT win the global goal of the year prize.

But that was where we ended up at the Puskas Awards last night.

Fuelled by one or two suggestions from South America, hope and expectation had risen that Julio Enciso might take the prestigious FIFA accolade.

His superb solo finish to an eye-catching team move had secured top spot, we were told.

“How can they know that in advance?” we asked ourselves.

It turns out they didn’t.

The Albion man was pipped by an outrageous overhead kick by Guilherme Madruga for Botafogo São Paulo (yes, not even the most famous Botafogo).

To be fair to FIFA, they did Enciso’s goal full justice as it was shown as one of the final three.

(Remember when Nicky Forster finished a brilliant move at Swindon and goal of the month only showed the cross and header?).

The footage FIFA published highlighted the way champions Manchester City were pulled out of shape by patient passes before the Enciso strike which even drew applause from the away end.

But it had always felt like an extraordinarily acrobatic finish was more likely to win this prize.

So Enciso - and Albion - only scored the second best goal in the world last year, it appears. Only!

Cue the debate - more or so in Paraguay than here. Did the right goal win the prize?

Versus.com in Paraguay told readers the cameras were focussed on Enciso as the award was announced.

He gave a light smile, removed his headphones (through which he was hearing a translation of the ceremony) and applauded his rival.

Versus reported: “Spectacular goal, scored by the ‘Jewel’, in a much more competitive league and against an opponent who won everything in the season, had become everybody’s favourite.”

Paraguayan reporter Roberto Rojas, a big supporter of Enciso’s goal, tweeted: “Europa League and Copa America medal will look better on Julio anyway.”

Fellow sports journalist Nelson Rene told followers: “Julio Enciso is a source of pride for our country, being among the leaders of world football is a gigantic start for him, and if he maintains his level in the elite or raises it, he can achieve greater things. It depends exclusively on him, he has the conditions of a top athlete.”

Albion immediately congratulated Enciso on his second place and rightly so.

The fact the winner came from the Brazilian second tier showed how wide the net was cast.

And the rest of the awards underlined the quality of the move and the goal.

Enciso scored against the team sent out by The Best’s top coach and featuring five members of the ideal XI.

It’s just a shame Ederson, named best goalkeeper, was not between the sticks at the Amex that night. He wouldn’t have saved it either.

While a FIFA gala evening might not be everyone's cup of tea, this one was of Albion interest.

And the whole thing reminded us once again of the level of performers those lucky enough to attend games get to see in person these days.

We could just do with an appearance from Lionel Messi in Falmer before he retires.

As for the women, eight of The Best’s ideal XI (including former Albion forward Alessia Russo) played in a gripping Euro 2022 quarter-final between England and Spain at the Amex.

Of the other three, Lauren James and Sam Kerr have appeared against the Seagulls at Crawley.

So the one exception was Alex Morgan, although she scored the first goal of her loan spell at Tottenham in a home game against Albion at Barnet.

Three of the Best XI played for Manchester United at Lewes last year in the FA Cup.

The popularity of Mary Earps was obvious at Broadfield recently when she played, and excelled, for United before a near full-house in a dramatic 2-2 draw.

And, like a certain Paraguayan, she also scored for Albion in 2023 - inadvertently in the FA Cup semi-final on the same day as another Enciso stunner at Chelsea.