Kahn on Neuer: "He's taken goalkeeping to a new level"

Ex-Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn believes that Manuel Neuer, his successor in both the DFB-Team and at Bayern München, is capable of becoming World Footballer of the Year. “It would be deserved, Manuel has taken goalkeeping to a whole new level,” Kahn told SID. “Not only because of the performances that he has put in, but also because of the manner that he interprets the game. We saw how impressive he was at the World Cup.”

Kahn believes that winning the World Cup in Brazil with the DFB-Team will play a big part in favour of 28-year-old Neuer. “When you become a World Champion, you have a big chance of winning the award,” explained the 45-year-old. But a goalkeeper has never found it easy to win when up against superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. “I know from personal experience that they have reservations about choosing a goalkeeper, but at the end of the day, the award is for World Footballer of the Year. But Manuel has the chance because he is a footballer,” said Kahn with a grin on his face.

Six World Champions all in with a chance

Because Neuer showed over the summer in Brazil that he can play very well, “the threshold should be lower so that he can be chosen,” said Kahn on the forum “Doha Goals” and added: “In women’s football, we saw with Nadine Angerer that a goalkeeper can win. Now Manuel could follow in her footsteps.” Germany Women’s goalkeeper Angerer was awarded Women’s World Footballer of the Year last season.

Kahn finished in second place behind Brazilian Ronaldo in the running for World Footballer of the Year in 2002. Record Germany international Lothar Matthäus is the only Germany player to have been voted World Footballer of the Year when he was selected back in 1990 and 1991. Five other World Champions are in the running for the Ballon d’Or alongside Neuer: Mario Götze, Thomas Müller, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos.

Now the captains and managers of the national teams, as well as chosen international media representatives, must make their decision from the shortlist of 23 players. The list will be cut down to three candidates on 1st December, before the trophy is awarded on 12th January 2015 in Zurich.

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