Ballon d'Or: 10 players who could have won if Messi and Ronaldo did not exist

#7 Manuel Neuer

Neuer is among the top goalkeepers of this generation

A goalkeeper?! Best player in the world? Seriously? Those are the questions which people ask whenever Neuer’s name for an individual prize comes up. By far the best and most consistent goalkeeper in the last 7 years, Neuer had a particularly strong case to win the Ballon d’ Or in 2014 having won silverware with both club and country.

Since 1963, only 3 goalkeepers have ever made the final 3 spots. Legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin remains the only shot-stopper till date to win the prestigious prize, while Buffon narrowly missed out on the top prize in 2006. However, Neuer certainly deserved the top prize especially after his top-notch performances in the World Cup.

Having revolutionised the art of goalkeeping with his sweeper-keeper style of play, Neuer not only adapted brilliantly to then manager Pep Guardiola’s style of building from the back, he also showcased his excellent shot stopping skills and reflexes in the World Cup against France and Algeria.

After all, the World Cup is the most important tournament in football and Neuer was simply superb in FIFA’s showpiece event in Brazil.