Gigi Buffon believes winning the Ballon d’Or will be difficult for Manuel Neuer – because the award doesn’t tend to go to goalkeepers.
Lev Yashin is the only ‘keeper to have been awarded the Ballon d’Or but Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer is in the running for this year’s prize, alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Buffon thinks it’s difficult to see a goalkeeper winning the award.
Gigi Buffon believes winning the Ballon d’Or will be difficult for Manuel Neuer – because the award doesn’t tend to go to goalkeepers.
Lev Yashin is the only ‘keeper to have been awarded the Ballon d’Or but Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer is in the running for this year’s prize, alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Buffon thinks it’s difficult to see a goalkeeper winning the award.
“It’s not just that it’s difficult, but there are also historical situations and moments that end up deciding these awards,” the Juventus no. 1 told FIFA’s website.
“Yashin was certainly exceptional, one of the greats, but I think the fact that he came from a country about which people knew little helped.
“At that time, there were players people had heard a lot about, but had only seen play a few times. I think this mystery added to the legend that surrounded them.
“Although, of course, to win the Ballon d’Or, you have to have something special in comparison with the rest.
“For a goalkeeper to win the award today something truly exceptional has to happen.
“Often the prize doesn’t go to the best player, but to the player who has won more games, and who was most decisive in those victories.
“So perhaps a goalkeeper will win the Ballon d’Or when he helps his team become world champions by winning four games in a row on penalties and saving every spot-kick!
“That way no one can overlook him! But something really remarkable needs to happen.”
Buffon has come close to winning the award, finishing second to Fabio Cannavaro in 2006, but while the Italy captain talks up the importance of the Ballon d’Or, he insists that no-one remember the runner-up.
“It’s a very important award for a player because it’s the greatest and most symbolic recognition of our work.
“It is the ultimate goal you can achieve in the game, because global recognition is something that makes you proud, and tells you that you will be in the football history books forever.
“No-one remembers second place, especially in sport.
“Of course I was proud, because coming second was the result of great sacrifices and victories as a team.
“But in the end, if you don’t win, second place is not really important.
“Fabio won because he deserved it more.”
Cristiano Ronaldo is favourite to be given the award on January 12, but Buffon still believes that Lionel Messi is the superior player.
“Who will win? Probably Ronaldo. Even if he hadn’t won the UEFA Champions League, the player who is the best at a particular moment should be rewarded.
“Ronaldo – in addition to having a splendid career and maintaining a high level of performance over a long period – has done something exceptional over the last two years, and deserves the recognition.
“That said, I still think that Messi is still the best overall, because when he is 100 per cent he is simply sublime to watch.
“But there is not much difference between the two: they are playing at such a high level that if one drops just a little, the other will overtake him.
“And what Ronaldo did this year was beautiful to behold: incredibly decisive and professional. You realise that he has the right mind-set, and is working towards goals that he sets himself.
“In the end, people who stand out so deservedly, thanks to their hard work and sacrifice, should be rewarded.”