Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been named 2014 Footballer of the Year by L'Équipe, finishing ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who came in second and third respectively, after the German shot-stopper clinched both the Bundesliga title and World Cup trophy this year.
Other names on the list included Dutch attacker Arjen Robben, who just finished outside the top three, in fourth position, with World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm, Manchester United attacker Angel Di Maria, and Brazilian ace Neymar coming in at number five, six, and seven, respectively.
Die Roten ace Thomas Muller, Uruguayan striker and former Liverpool star Luis Suarez, and Paris Saint-German talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic all complete the top ten, with Toni Kroos and Diego Costa just missing out on a spot.
L'Equipe's top 100 players of 2014: Manuel Neuer grabs top spot
L'Equipe have picked their 100 Top players of 2014. Manuel Neuer has been voted as world's best. #NeuerForBallonDor pic.twitter.com/bGPsCETWhB
— Home of Fußball (@ExcitableExpert) December 27, 2014
This recognition by the French publication will be seen as a huge boost, an endorsement possibly, for Neuer’s Ballon d’Or hopes, as he aims to become the first goalkeeper in history to walk away with the coveted award since Russian legend Lev Yashin back in 1963, despite the German custodian himself believing the odds are stacked against him.
Neuer, whose Bundesliga side currently sit on top of the table undefeated with 45 points, was also named in L'Équipe’s Team of the Year, dominated by Pep Guardiola’s crew, as summer signing Xabi Alonso, club captain Philipp Lahm, and left-back David Alaba all made the French publication’s Dream Team selection.
Also in the starting eleven were, obviously, Ronaldo and Messi, with Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos, Mats Hummels, Angel Di Maria, and Neymar all making the cut.
L'Equipe released their team of the year, including Neuer, CR7, Messi, Neymar, and Lahm
French newspaper L’Équipe have picked their team of the year. Do you agree with this? pic.twitter.com/DgtFMZJyWK
— Footy (@Footy) December 27, 2014
Neymar, Cristiano and Messi were the best 3 attackers in the world in 2014, according to L'Equipe's team of the year. pic.twitter.com/MsNOaCXZt0
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) December 27, 2014
