The announcement of Ballon d'Or 2014 winner is less than a week away. You probably have picked the player you want to bring home the most prestigious individual award in football. Those in the shortlist are Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Manuel Neuer. This year's competition is probably the closest that fans can have for a long time. This is why even those a involved in the sport in a great deal have different picks, too.
Diego Maradona's pick for Ballon d'Or 2014 winner is strangely odd, though, for many fans. The retired Argentinean player is always the frank and outspoken type but his statement on the award is somewhat surprising.
In an interview with the Radio Habana in Cuba, the 54-year old picked goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munchen and Germany as the rightful Ballon d'Or 2014 winner. Many discussions had Cristiano Ronaldo for his dominance in the UEFA Champions League. For Maradona, nobody expected it because many think he will back Lionel Messi who is Argentinean like him.
"My favourite for the Ballon d'Or? Neither Messi, nor Ronaldo," said Maradona when asked who should be the Ballon d'Or 2014 winner. He used to play for Barcelona and Napoli and managed Argentina from 2008 to 2010.
"For me, Neuer is the one who deserves it the most. I feel that Messi and Ronaldo have taken things a bit too relaxed in 2014."
If ever proclaimed Ballon d'Or 2014 Winner, Manuel Neuer, who won the FIFA World Cup for Germany last July 2015, will be the first goalkeeper to win the trophy since Soviet goalie Lev Yashin did it in 1963. For Cristiano Ronaldo, he is vying for his third while Lionel Messi, who didn't win any team trophy last season, is competing his fifth in his career.
The Ballon d'Or Gala night will be held on January 12 in Zurich, Switzerland.
