The Frenchman is on the 10-man shortlist for his strike in Newcastle's FA Cup win over Blackburn on January 7, when he went on a mazy run before cracking a fierce shot high into the Rovers net.
His rivals include world superstars Lionel Messi, Neymar and Radamel Falcao, as well as Mexican women's international Olivia Jimenez.
The shortlist will be reduced to three when a first round of public voting on FIFA's website ends on November 29, and the award will be handed out at the Ballon d'Or gala on January 7, 2013.
The award, in honour of Hungarian great Ferenc Puskas, was won by Brazil and Santos striker Neymar last year.
Puskas Award nominees:
Agyemang Badu - for Ghana against Guinea, February 1
Hatem Ben Arfa - for Newcastle against Blackburn, January 7
Radamel Falcao - for Atletico Madrid v America de Cali, May 19
Eric Hassli - for Vancouver Whitecaps v Toronto FC, May 16
Olivia Jimenez - for Mexico v Switzerland, August 22
Gaston Mealla - for Nacional Potosi v The Strongest, January 29
Lionel Messi - for Argentina v Brazil, June 9
Neymar - for Santos v Internacional, March 7
Moussa Sow - for Fenerbahce v Galatasaray, March 17
Miroslav Stoch - for Fenerbahce v Genclerbirligi, March 3