Germany legend Lothar Matthaus believes that Manuel Neuer stands a realistic chance of winning the Ballon d'Or after 'reinventing' goalkeeping.
The Bayern Munich stopper won the World Cup with Germany last summer and is in the running for the title of world's best player alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real Madrid star Ronaldo is widely expected to claim his second Ballon d'Or title, but Matthaus has not ruled out a triumph for his compatriot.
"Neuer certainly has a realistic chance because he has reshaped goalkeeping. I would say he's almost reinvented it. For me, it's a duel between Ronaldo and Neuer," he told Bild.
"Winning the World Cup should be above everything else and the triumph in Rio is an advantage for Neuer. But then you see Ronaldo won the Champions League and scores goals like they're from an assembly line.
"Ronaldo's performances are unique. The only things that compare are Messi during his best spell and Brazilian Ronaldo in the early 2000s."
The award, which is currently held by Ronaldo, is handed out in Zurich on Monday.
Paul Gorst
