Manuel Neuer deserves for Ballon d'Or 2014

He's already the undisputed No1 custodian on the planet, but soon FC Bayern München's Manuel Neuer could officially be crowned the world's best footballer - period. No goalkeeper has ever won the FIFA Ballon d'Or in its current guise, but Bundesliga Malaysia outlines exactly why 'Supermanu' deserves to buck the trend...

Inpenetrable aura

Neuer's place on the three-man shortlist to lift football's ultimate individual prize is no fluke. Of all the goalkeepers with over 100 appearances under their belts in the Bundesliga's decorated history, the former FC Schalke 04 stopper is the only one to have conceded fewer goals (216) than appearances made (264). Fact.

Forever raising the bar

The 28-year-old World Cup winner doesn't make many blunders either - he hasn't made one for 33 league matches - but on the rare occasion he does, the look of detestation on his face says it all. "I know I can make mistakes," he told The FIFA Weekly. "The main thing is that I make sure I keep the bar high."

Sweeper keeper

It's that self-same will to improve that has seen the Gelsenkirchen native revolutionise the very definition of football's last line of defence. Indeed, for some, the image of the Germany No1 racing out of his own box to foil Algeria's Islam Slimani in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil is one of the enduring images of the finals.

Moves that matter

Unlike any of his predecessors or contemporaries, Neuer also boasts technical ability most wannabe outfield players can only dream of. Be it with his hands, feet, chest or head, there is scarcely a pass Bayern's inimitable goalkeeper-turned-libero cannot make. Just search 'Manuel Neuer' on YouTube. Seeing is believing.

One of a kind

Of course, none of those silky skills would add up to much had he not perfected the bread and butter art of shot-stopping in the first place. There have been inevitable comparisons with Bayern legend Oliver Kahn in that department, but forget the similitude. Neuer might just be the greatest, idiosyncratic talent the game has ever seen.

Lahm and Neuer resume training in Säbener Strasse

Winter is slowly but surely drawing in at the Säbener Strasse facility. Manuel Neuer and Philipp Lahm, who returned from Germany international duty on Sunday and completed individual workouts yesterday, were no exception in their choice of kit when they rejoined their club colleagues.

When the Germans face England in a prestige friendly on Tuesday night, Neuer and Lahm will be watching on TV. “It was all arranged with the national coach,” said Lahm. “Obviously it’s always good to play at Wembley because we have great memories of the stadium.” Nevertheless, the versatile defender said he was “glad to have a couple of days at home.” And, added Lahm, the regeneration training of the last couple of days has done “a great deal of good.”

Lahm and Neuer Return to Munich

Philipp Lahm and Manuel Neuer have returned early from international duty. On Saturday, the day after Germany’s 1–1 draw with Italy in Milan, the Bayern pair returned to Munich while the rest of the German squad travelled on to England prior to Tuesday’s friendly at Wembley. “The game against England is our last opportunity to try out a few tactical and line-up variations before the World Cup,” commented national coach Joachim Löw, explaining why he was declining to field his captain and first-choice goalkeeper in London. “The important thing at the moment is for me to try out other players in key positions and give them a decent chance against a great team like England.“

Neuer Reaction Against Viktoria Plzen

Manuel Neuer: “We didn’t start well. Against opponents like these, it’s important to get the ball out wide, let the ball do the work, camp out in their half, and then get behind the defence and put in our crosses. The goal came from a good cross, and it was a great finish by Mandzu. The record is great, but we were looking for a better performance.“

Six Bayern Stars Nominated for the World Player of the Year

The footballing world has paid a huge compliment to Bayern and six of their stars with the nomination of Philipp Lahm, Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer, Franck Ribéry, Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger for the World Player of the Year award. The longlist of 23 candidates announced by FIFA on Tuesday includes half-a-dozen of the key figures from last season’s treble winners. The supremo who masterminded the historic campaign, Jupp Heynckes, is on the shortlist for Coach of the Year 2013.

Among the players, the shortlist of three will be announced in early December. The final vote is taken among the captains and coaches of the world’s men’s international teams, and a panel of international media representatives selected by leading magazine France Football. The winner of the vote will be announced on 13 January 2014 at the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala in Zurich Kongresshaus.

The last German player to win the prestigious award was Lothar Matthäus in 1991. Argentina and Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has topped the vote for the last four years in a row. Bayern’s Franck Ribéry could be poised to interrupt that streak, as he was named UEFA Best Player in Europe in August ahead of Messi and rates as one of the top favourites for the World Player vote.

Six Bayern stars were initially nominated for the award in 2012, but only Manuel Neuer made it into the final 23.

World Player 2013 long list of 23:

Gareth Bale (Wales)
Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)
Radamel Falcao (Colombia)
Eden Hazard (Belgium)
Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden)
Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
Philipp Lahm (Germany)
Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Thomas Müller (Germany)
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Neymar (Brazil)
Mesut Özil (Germany)
Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
Franck Ribéry (France)
Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
Luis Suárez (Uruguay)
Thiago Silva (Brazil)
Yaya Touré (Cote d’Ivoire)
Robin Van Persie (Netherlands)
Xavi (Spain)

Bayern Quotes: Manuel Neuer

"The people on the streets just say ‘hi’ and let me walk on. They take relatively few photos, and those that do are tourists. Munich natives are relatively relaxed. They pretty much leave me in peace and I think that's very good. The Bavarian mentality fits very well to me."

- Manuel Neuer

Neuer clean sheet record

Last weekend, Manuel Neuer became the youngest goalkeeper ever to keep the  100 Bundesliga clean sheets.

The best legendary goalkeeper in the making now.

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