LIN Alexander Ovechkin Olympics Jersey , Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Goalkeepers have it tough when it comes to the world's most important honor for individuals in football. They can only expect to be outsiders in the race for the "FIFA Ballon d'Or", which was known as the World Player of the Year until 2010.


When the 2014 result will be announced on January 12, Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer therefore is just another outsider challenging the widespread opinion that goalkeepers are not "real" football players and are therefore not the right choice to become the world player of the year.


The 28-year-old is up against the globe's top two on-field players Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) and Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona). It appears odds on that Neuer will end up second at best even though he is the most up field oriented goalkeeper in soccer history due to his risky style which has him operating more like a defender at times.


The fact that Russian Lev Yashin (1963's winner) is the only goalkeeper to have won the prestigious honor is a clear indication that goalkeepers find it almost impossible to break through the phalanx of field players.


Besides goalkeepers Vladislav Namestnikov Olympics Jersey , it is similarly difficult for defenders get their hands on the trophy. Midfielders and strikers are always the most likely when it comes to winning the Ballon d'Or.


Neuer's supporters - like Argentine legend Diego Maradona and former winner Andrej Schewtschenko (Ukraine) - may praise Neuer for having revolutionized the goalkeeper's role in modern football, but in the mind of fans goal-scorers like Ronaldo and Messi seem to count more.


"He's not only a goalkeeper but the last man of his team - more of a defender trying to propel his team forwards," said Schewtschenko.


Dutch legend Johan Cruyff called Neuer an exceptional keeper and Michel Platini (President of UEFA - the European Football Federation) said a German footballer would deserve the award after the country's performance at the 2014 World Cup.


"He's like a present for us. Without him Evgeni Malkin Olympics Jersey , we would not have won the World Cup," said German midfielder and Neuer's Bayern Munich teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger.


German head coach Joachim Loew says it can only be Neuer in 2014. Former Swiss coach Ottmar