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Is there a case for Alisson Becker to win the Ballon D’Or?

ByJosh Ricker|
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 07: Alisson Becker of Brazil celebrates with the trophy of best goalkeeper after winning the Copa America Brazil 2019 Final match between Brazil and Peru at Maracana Stadium on July 07, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 07: Alisson Becker of Brazil celebrates with the trophy of best goalkeeper after winning the Copa America Brazil 2019 Final match between Brazil and Peru at Maracana Stadium on July 07, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Believe it or not, there is a serious case for Alisson Becker to be considered for the Ballon D’Or, as he competes with fellow teammates Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane for the award.

Many people will probably not believe it, but Alisson Becker is already one of the favorites for the Ballon D’Or in the fall. Becker has bettered his chances to win as well, by winning the Copa America with Brazil as they defeated Peru 3-1 in the final. The Brazilian became the first player in Copa America history to not give up a goal from open play the entire tournament.

The only conceded goal came from a penalty kick given up by Thiago Silva on a handball. However, Becker thinks his chances to win the award are quite slim according to Sport Bible,

"“I just limit myself to doing my job,” he said when asked if he could win the Ballon d’Or after guiding Brazil to the Copa America final. “There are a lot of top players aspiring for that prize. I’m just a goalkeeper.”"

It was another wonderful competition for the Liverpool player, and it saw him taking home his third Golden Glove of the competitive season(Premier League/Champions League), also a world record.

Of course, no goalkeeper has taken home the award since Lev Yashin with Dynamo Moscow in 1963. In that year Yashin started for the Rest of the World XI in a match vs England where he stole the show, and was dubbed as “The Black Spider”. While clean sheet stats were not recorded, in that year he received 73 votes, 18 more than Gianni Rivera of Milan.

Given the former Roma keeper’s success this year across all leagues, he should surely be one of the favorites for the hallowed award. Some of his accomplishments are highlighted in the Tweet below.

It will be tough competition this year however, as teammate Virgil van Dijk is also one of the favorites, having led the Netherlands to the Nations League final, and winning the Premier League Player of the Season already. Sadio Mane also had another stellar season on Merseyside, bagging in 26 goals for the English club. Of course, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are also in the conversation but are much less likely to win this year.

It might be a stretch for the goalkeeper to actually win the award, but there is no doubt he deserves it, having one of the best goalkeeping seasons in history.

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