It's not right to find fault with the results of a vote. In fact, there's been no greater reminder that everyone has the right to their opinions than the last few days - particularly in something as trivial as a vote for the World Footballer of the Year. The fact that Cristiano Ronaldo once again lifts the title is perfectly acceptable. Portugal's superstar is, like the second-placed Lionel Messi, a remarkable footballer. In 2014, Ronaldo delivered goals in La Liga and the Champions League like a machine, securing club football's most important trophy with Real Madrid. The biggest in football though remains elusive for Ronaldo and Messi. The same cannot be said of Manuel Neuer.
Re-birth of the sweeper
Not only did Neuer win the World Cup with Germany, but he played a huge role in securing Germany's fourth star. Had Neuer not been in sensational form in the Round of 16 against Algeria, the quarterfinal against France or the final against Argentina, then Germany probably would have returned home with empty hands. On the sport's biggest stage, Neuer showed just how much he is the definition of the modern goalkeeper. Neuer is an outfield goalkeeper, almost a sweeper reincarnate. His regular roaming out towards the halfway line effectively mean he replaces the last man in place to stop counterattacks. To do this effectively, Neuer must concentrate intensely in order to predict his opponents' movements. And he must possess individual skill too. After all, outside of the area his hands are tied.
Between the posts
Neuer might not have created this new type of goalkeeping, but he has perfected it to the point of being the exemplary goalkeeper in modern football. That is quite some feat. The only difference between Neuer and Ronaldo is that the former is between the posts. And it is there where the problem lies. Regardless of how creatively Neuer has interpreted his role, he is still just a goalkeeper whose main task is to prevent goals. Those who score them tend to stay in mind longer, someone like a Ronaldo or a Messi who dances through defenders before putting the ball into the back of the net. That's how you win games and the Ballon d'Or. For goalkeepers, even for Neuer who is the best in the world, the people's champion is the only title left to win and that's a great shame.