7 Reasons Why Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer Must Win the 2014 Ballon d'Or
On Monday, January 12, FIFA will hold an official ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland to announce the winner of the 2014/15 Ballon d'Or award. The trophy, considered to be one of the most prestigious in world football, will be awarded to one of three men: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Manuel Neuer.
Each player could argue their case for the trophy, as is often the case from one year to the next, yet this season's award offers a genuine opportunity to break the mould and do something different entirely. Let's award the player who has offered the most to football over the past 12 months, not one that has simply gone about his business as usual.
Bayern Munich's shot-stopper should win the Ballon d'Or on Monday, and here are seven reasons why.
He Won the World Cup with Germany
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This point is perhaps the most important one to consider when we look over Neuer's claim to the Ballon d'Or this year. Messi and Ronaldo may have scored a truck load of goals, but neither managed to win the ultimate prize: the World Cup.
Of course, such a trophy is indeed a landmark that can usually only be achieved through a great deal of teamwork, like any trophy throughout the sport, yet a certain degree of this tremendous achievement falls on Neuer's ability as a player.
Although national team manager Joachim Low may have had the best squad in Brazil last summer, there's no denying that Germany would have never achieved what they did without Neuer's help. That's exactly why the goalkeeper has the World Cup in his corner.
Because the Ballon d'Or Needs a Shake-Up
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Let's be honest: We're all a little sick of the Ballon d'Or, aren't we?
Whether it's the endless back and forth from two notable sets of fans on Twitter, the column inches in every paper up and down the country or the boring debate about what exactly defines the best player in the world, this trophy needs a new remit.
How better to do that than a completely new rebrand by offering the award to Neuer this year. A different star and a different type of player—a move straight out of left field to bamboozle the press, shock fans and ultimately bring something new to this old, bloated UEFA table.
He's Revolutionised the Role of Goalkeeper
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To take a step back from the immediacy of credentials that one must consider when we compare Neuer to other players around the world, we must take into account the mark the Bayern shot-stopper has left on goalkeeping in 2014.
Always considered a rather outspoken goalkeeper throughout his youth at Schalke, Neuer has arrived at Bayern and specifically developed under Pep Guardiola to become a truly defining player within his position.
For Bayern and the German national team, Neuer always plays his game at least 20 feet ahead of most goalkeepers and is always ready to sweep up any tantalising through balls over his own defence. No longer just a shot-stopper, Neuer has proven just how handy a goalkeeper can be when given the impetus to sweep up behind a high back-line.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may be the very best that they can be as forwards within the modern game but this player has revolutionised what a goalkeeper can and cannot do on the football pitch today.
He's One of Guardiola's Best Weapons
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As we just said, Neuer has grown leaps and bounds as a goalkeeper under his relatively new coach Guardiola. Yet, little has been made of just how much the Spanish coach relies upon his star between the posts.
Bayern may be one of the best teams in the world with their roster of world-class players and tiki-taka closing down of each side, but none of that would truly work without Neuer in goal.
The Germany international's tendency to play his game on the very edge of his box allows Bayern's defensive line to push incredibly high up the park, safe in the knowledge that the towering keeper will be able to sweep up any long balls over the top.
The Bavarian giants may have all sorts of tricks and ploys upfront, but Guardiola's best weapon is this talented goalkeeper.
He's the Best Goalkeeper in the World
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We've discussed Neuer's World Cup success, his ability to revolutionise the goalkeeping position and his importance to Guardiola, yet one concept that must be taken into account is the simple fact that he's the best goalkeeper in the world right now.
Sure, there will always be those near or thereabouts—David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois, for example—but neither of those two or indeed the legions of other pretenders to the throne have what Neuer has: the whole package.
The German keeper may be remembered once he's gone as a Bayern legend or indeed someone who changed the role of the shot-stopper, but at least for now, he is undoubtedly the best in the world at what he does.
Goalkeepers Deserve More Credit in the Sport
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A goalkeeper has only won the Ballon d'Or once in its 59-year history.
Considering how strong a role goalkeepers have always played throughout the history of the sport, in key matches, tournaments and even entire seasons, it seems truly baffling that it has taken until now for football to finally realise the importance of the men between the posts.
Let Neuer, as clearly the best at his position, pick up this coveted award not just for him but for goalkeepers throughout the sport past and present.
It Should Be a German
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Little else needs to be said about Neuer's role at last summer's World Cup, but there is a line or argument that suggests that no matter who wins the Ballon d'Or this season, it should be a representative from the team that won the ultimate prize.
You can score, assist or even save as many goals as you want in Europe's top divisions or indeed in the Champions League, but when it comes down to it, this chapter of history will be remembered for Germany's achievements in Brazil last summer. That should be represented in whoever wins the Ballon d'Or.
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