2014 FIFA Ballon d’Or Candidate: Manuel Neuer

Germany v Austria - EURO 2012 Qualifier
source: completesportsnigeria.com

Inthe first 4 editions after the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d’Or awards were merged in 2010, there was never a goalkeeper whom got nominated into the last 3 contenders. Finally in 2014, Manuel Neuer of Germany became the first man between the posts who successfully entered the 3-horses race for the FIFA Ballon d’Or Award.

It won’t be easy for Neuer to win the award, though, considering his opponents are the regulars: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Neuer’s success on winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup could be advantageous for the Bayern goalkeeper. After all, Neuer’s Germany beat Ronaldo’s Portugal and Messi’s Argentina in the event. This success can be considered equal Lev Yashin achievement, the one and only goalkeeper before Neuer who winning UEFA Ballon d’Or back in 1963.

The eyes can easily monitor Neuer’s qualities. His remarkable saves surely among them. He also likes to charge outside the penalty’s box to secure his area, which is not only another one of his quality, but also quite the entertainment for the viewers. His performance amplified new definition of modern goalkeeper as not only the one who responsible as goal guardian but as one of important outfield player as well. This matter might outcome new approach in the future of goalkeeper coaching method.

To show how special Neuer is, we will share his statistical numbers that we collected during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Here they are:

343
Total number of actions done by Neuer in which his hands were not involved. The number resulted in 71% out of his total actions throughout the tournament. Only 29% out of his total actions in which his hands were involved. Quite low for a goalkeeper.

220
Total number completed pass sent by Neuer throughout the competition. The number resulted in 82% pass accuracy. Passing was also Neuer’s most frequent action, which amounted in 56% out of his total actions. Maintaining possession also one objective in Neuer passes action as 72% of his attempts are short passes.

129
Total number of passes received by Neuer throughout the competition. The number resulted in 29% out of his total actions, his second-most frequent action.

24
Total number of saves made by Neuer in 7 matches in the competition. Only 3 teams managed to score against Neuer: Ghana (2 goals), Algeria (1 goal) and Brazil (1 goal).

7
Total number of defense actions done by Neuer throughout the competition. The number resulted in only 1% out of his total actions, his least-frequent action. Those 7 defense actions in details are 5 clearances, 1 tackle, and 1 pass interception. He did all of those with no hand. Nonetheless the few numbers, not many goalkeeper able to perform defense action in every match.

Here are the more detailed facts on Manuel Neuer’s performance in the 2014 FIFA World Cup (click on image to enlarge):

1 Thailand-Malaysia

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