Former Ballon d'Or winner Andriy Shevchenko backs Manuel Neuer to win the prize

Will Neuer win the Ballon d’Or?

Former winner, Andriy Shevchenko, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2004 after his brilliant performance with AC Milan, placed his bet on Manuel Neuer to win the prestigious award this time around, which most people assume will be fought out between Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Shevchenko said this after the game between Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach which ended in a 0-0 draw and saw Neuer pull off a string of fantastic saves to keep out Gladbach. 

Neuer has been spectacular for Bayern Munich and Germany for the past few years and has single-handedly saved his team on multiple occasions. He also received the Golden Glove after his performances in the World Cup in Brazil this year which saw Germany lift the cup. 

The last goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d’Or was Lev Yashin in 1963.