Manuel Peter Neuer shed a few tears in a special press conference in Gelsenkirchen in 2011. In heartbreaking fashion, he announced his move to the south. Only Bayern could match his ambitions. He was not well liked at the start; the fans, specifically the ones in the Südkurve, did not embrace him. He just had too much Schalke blood in him.
Today, the same seemingly overconfident Neuer, is a few votes away from being crowned the best player in the World. When he speaks, one can see the humbleness; yet, when he plays, his confidence makes the opposition stumble.
If the vote is to go as most votes go, either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo will be crowned the best player soon. However, a win for Neuer, aside from the surprise element, is perhaps needed to keep alive the popularity of this award. For starters, Neuer did in the past year which neither of his fellow nominees have managed: he won the World Cup. The World Cup is considered to be the best award a team can win.
Had Neuer not been standing in between the posts, it can be validly argued that Germany would not have come away with winners medals. He was a vital presence in the group stages but really came to the fore against Algeria in the Round of 16. Germany were sloppy but Neuer was at his best. He touched the ball outside his box more than 20 times, acting as the goalkeeper, the last defender and sometimes a defensive midfielder. He was equally important in Germany's narrow 1-0 victory over France in the quarterfinals.
In the final, Neuer's sheer presence made Argentina nervous as they missed a whole host of opportunities. He was deservedly awarded the Golden Glove. In the Bundesliga, aside from a blip against Mainz, he has been hugely important for Bayern. Pep Guardiola's system requires a goalkeeper who can play well outside the box. He can play a slightly risky system only because Neuer is in goal.
Yet, it is somewhat strange that Neuer is only being nominated for the award now. He was perhaps more vital to the Bayern side which won the UEFA Champions League in 2013 than he was to Germany in last summer's World Cup. In the first half an hour of the final, Borussia Dortmund played against nobody but Neuer. By the time Bayern hit their stride, they might have been down a few goals had it not been for Neuer. He makes the extraordinary saves, saves deemed nearly impossible.
Why must Neuer win the award then? For too long, great goalkeepers, defenders and even central midfielders have been ignored in favor of the goalscoring midfielders and forwards. Philipp Lahm, for years deemed one of the best fullbacks in the world, has never had a place on the podium. If a goalkeeper is recognized as the best player, this award will perhaps be seen as "fair" once again and not one reserved for the players with flair and goals. Neuer has plenty of flair himself though. His unique style has been vital in getting him so far.
Now, all he has to do is earn the votes and take the prize home.
