A goalkeeper will never win the Ballon d’Or – Weidenfeller

The veteran has seen two German keepers miss
out on the prize during his career and as a result
doubts whether a No.1 will ever be named the
world’s best player by icekid Dah Wapmaster



Roman Weidenfeller has written off the prospect of a
goalkeeper ever winning the
Ballon d’Or after Manuel
Neuer’s failed bid to win the
award on Monday.

Cristiano Ronaldo won the trophy for a third time,
with Lionel Messi in second place and Neuer in third.

The Germany goalkeeper won the Bundesliga with
Bayern Munich before lifting the World Cup with
Germany and was praised for his ability with the ball
at his feet as much as his hands.

Neuer has often become an 11th outfield player for club and country in games by operating in a
sweeper-style fashion further up the pitch.

But despite all of his efforts it still wasn’t enough to
win the Ballon d’Or and Borussia Dortmund keeper
Weidenfeller fears the men between the posts will
never receive the recognition they deserve.

“Oliver Kahn has tried, Manuel has tried. If these
goalkeepers were so close and didn’t manage to win
then maybe it will never happen.

“I am sorry for Manuel. He has performed
exceptionally. As a goalkeeper you don’t have the
same standing, especially when it comes to players
like Cristiano Ronaldo who is a brand. He probably
had no chance.”

Weidenfeller has endured disappointment of his own
over the past 12 months after losing his place in the
Dortmund side before Christmas following their
disastrous start to the campaign.

Deputy keeper Mitch Langerak was preferred by
coach Jurgen Klopp, but the veteran says he has put
his struggles behind him and is focusing on the
future.

“It was a difficult situation, which I accepted
sportingly. Now we begin a new year and we all want
to look forward together. To deal with the past would
be a mistake.

“From my side everything is settled. If the coach
wants to talk to me again I am of course always ready
to talk. But we are in 2015 and should no longer talk
about 2014.”


Source www.SureNaija.com