Thursday, 20th November, 2014
Xabi Alonso believes his Bayern Munich team-mate Manuel Neuer should win this year’s FIFA Ballon d’Or award.
The German custodian, who helped the Bavarians to the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal last season, also played a vital role in his nation winning the World Cup earlier in the year.
And Alonso insists that Neuer is the best goalkeeper he has ever played alongside.
“He is by far the best goalkeeper that I have ever played with”, Alonso told SportBild.
“He is also a big player on the field. It would be fair if he won the Ballon d’Or this year, no doubt.”
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The Spaniard, who joined Bayern Munich from Real Madrid in the summer, further added that he has been hugely surprised by the 28-year-old’s qualities between the sticks after watching him at close quarters.
“I knew that Neuer was a top player but when I arrived at Bayern he surprised me even more”, he continued.
Neuer, who joined Bayern Munich from Schalke in 2011, has made 18 appearances in all competitions for the German champions this season, keeping 11 clean sheets.
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