World Cup winner Diego Maradona and former AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko have praised goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for his performances over the last two seasons, claiming he should beat Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to the Ballon d’Or next week.
With the award presented on January 12 in Zurich, Switzerland, the Bayern Munich number one is up against two players often cited as the ‘best players in the world’. Portuguese winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who claimed the award last year, is tipped as the favourite to scoop the prized trophy again, but growing support for Neuer could have a late influence.
To conclude proceedings, Neuer was also awarded the Golden Glove award, naming him the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
The 28-year-old has been cited as a unique player for his ‘sweeper-keeper’ style in some of the world’s biggest competitions and fixtures, but has also claimed the silverware alongside his outstanding performances.
Completing the double with Bayern Munich, storming the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, awards the goalkeeper also won last season alongside the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, he later added to his medal count with the national side.
A number of phenomenal displays in Brazil, which included the 7-1 trouncing of the hosts in the semi-final, led to former Schalke-04 clinching the world’s most prestigious trophy with a clean sheet against Diego Maradona’s Argentina on the grand stage. To conclude proceedings, Neuer was also awarded the Golden Glove award, naming him the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
Later named as German Footballer of the Year, he was also included in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team and FIFA World Cup Dream Team, while being named as L'Équipe's player of the year: 2014 and AIPS Athlete of the Year to complete his individual awards.
Diego Maradona, who lifted the World Cup himself with the Argentinian national team in 1978, praised the efforts, performance and success of the German, saying:
"Neither Messi, nor Ronaldo, my favourite is Neuer, he's the one who deserves it the most. Ronaldo and Messi were resting during the last year while Neuer was winning the World Cup with Germany."
Neuer is fantastic because he is more than just a traditional goalkeeper. I still think Cristiano and Messi are the favourites.
With Ronaldo having already won the award twice, and Messi claiming the award four times – meaning only two participants have won the award in the last six years – Neuer will be hoping to finally end the reign of the duo.
2004 Ballon d’Or winner Shevchenko, who found success with AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League in the same year, has also backed the number one, adding:
"Neuer is fantastic because he is more than just a traditional goalkeeper. I still think Cristiano and Messi are the favourites. Ronaldo won the Champions League and was the star.
"All three have the potential to be big winners, but I would choose Neuer because I think he did something special in the World Cup and also during his season with Bayern. He was fantastic throughout the year."
Manuel Neuer extended his contract with Bayern Munich earlier in the year until 2019.