Bayern’s goalkeeper is in contention for the best player of 2014 in Fifa’s eyes, but the Montpellier coach ridiculed the notion of him beating La Liga’s pair
Nobody will remember Manuel Neuer as a better player than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi in 30 years, according to Montpellier coach Rolland Courbis, who has mocked the idea of the Bayern Munich goalkeeper winning the Ballon d’Or.
The Germany shot-stopper, Barcelona forward and Real Madrid’s star man are the three men in contention to be named the best player of 2014 on January 12.
Messi and Ronaldo have collectively won the last six Ballons d’Or, leaving Neuer as an outsider of sorts, although Uefa president Michel Platini has said a Germany World Cup winner deserves to claim this year’s accolade.
Courbis, however, cannot entertain the prospect of Neuer being considered the best in the world and pointed his finger at Bayern’s four-goal humiliation to Real Madrid at home in the Champions League 2013-14 semi-finals as a reason why any award would be shallow.
“In 30 years, when your grandchildren ask if you Neuer was truly better than Messi or Ronaldo, how could you respond yes to that?” Courbis is quoted as saying by L’Equipe.
“In the most important game of the club season, Neuer conceded four goals against Real Madrid in the second leg of the semi-final of the Champions League.
“The positions in football are like a different profession. But these are not even comparable positions. Being a goalkeeper is nothing like being an outfield player.”