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Ranking the 30 Ballon d’Or nominees

By Carter Mulvihill

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 11: FIFA Ballon dOr 2015 nominees Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid answer media questions during the FIFA Ballon dOr 2015 press conference prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 11: FIFA Ballon dOr 2015 nominees Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid answer media questions during the FIFA Ballon dOr 2015 press conference prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) /
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8. Manuel Neuer

MUNICH, GERMANY – OCTOBER 22: Manuel Neuer of FC Bayern Muenchen gestures during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Allianz Arena on October 22, 2016 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lennart Preiss/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – OCTOBER 22: Manuel Neuer of FC Bayern Muenchen gestures during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Allianz Arena on October 22, 2016 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lennart Preiss/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

Two years after finishing third in the Ballon d’Or voting, Neuer didn’t have that signature moment in 2016. But considering he’s the best keeper in the world and maybe the best of all time, he’s still worthy of a spot in the top 10.

It always feels like Bayern are at an inherent edge with Neuer in goal. It’s a whole area of the field that manager Carlo Ancelotti will simply never have to think twice or worry about. Throw in his sweeper abilities and the 80 percent possession Bayern frequently enjoy, and it begins to feel like Neuer owns half the pitch.

The crazy thing about 2016 for Neuer is that it will ultimately feel like a disappointment. After faltering to Griezmann’s Atletico team in the Champions League, he was again beaten by the him in the Euro 2016 semifinal.

After Griezmann beat him on a penalty, Neuer again came up second best when he rushed out for an aerial ball, only the Frenchman was there to smash it home with his head first.

Like the rest of Bayern players, Neuer’s ultimate focus will be on the Champions League this season. If a game goes to penalties, it’d be hard to bet against the German giants.

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