The story behind Manuel Neuer’s Ballon d’Or nomination

Manuel Neuer

The most consistent, reliable and astounding players end up clinching the much-coveted Ballon d’Or. Therefore, having been nominated as the only goalkeeper with a chance of winning football’s ultimate personal award, Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer is the finest goalkeeper in the world at present. “It is a huge honour for me to be the only player [goalkeeper] on the shortlist,” Neuer told Sport1.

It seems apt then, that Neuer, a modern sweeper keeper, has the possibility of joining Soviet Union’s Lev Yashin – one of the innovators of that specialist role – in becoming only the second goalkeeper ever to win the Ballon d’Or.

Major honours

What a year it’s been for Bayern Munich.

One Bundesliga defeat throughout the 2012-13 season inspired Bayern to the title, halting Borussia Dortmund’s two-year domestic supremacy. The Champions League crown followed in May 2013, and the DFB-Pokal completed the tremendous treble. An encounter with Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup on 30 August brought further success, with the Bavarians winning 5-4 on penalties in Prague.

You wouldn’t put it past Neuer to add the FIFA Club World Cup to his expansive collection come December, when Bayern travel to Morocco to take part in the 10th edition of the tournament.

Key Stats

In 12 Bundesliga matches this season, the former Schalke goalkeeper has only had to make 19 saves, conceding seven goals.

Comparing this to last season, and the agile shot-stopper conceded 18 league goals, aided by an impressive 18 clean sheets – only Thibaut Courtois (20) and Salvatore Sirigu (23) achieved more.

A goalkeeper’s job is made far easier if he is positioned behind a solid defence, fashioned on the concept of maintaining possession. Nevertheless, Neuer’s quick reflexes, efficient distribution and impressive collection of medals, propel him to the top of the pile.

Why he deserves his nomination

Bayern’s 27-year-old goalkeeper still has a decade of football ahead of him, and in goalkeeper terms, is yet to reach his peak. Subsequently, surrounded by a group of supremely gifted players, motivated by one of the world’s most sought-after managers, the German international can only achieve bigger and better things.

Neuer may don the number one jersey of the world’s most dominant team, causing critics to question his overall quality, however there can be no doubting that he would saunter into any team throughout world football. A justified nominee.

Does he have a chance of winning?

The eventual winner of the Ballon d’Or could ply their trade at Bayern Munich. But considering that the only keeper to win the trophy was Lev Yashin in 1963, Neuer has a remote chance of walking away with the prized award.