Bayern's Neuer on three-man Ballon d'Or shortlist
Zurich - FC Bayern München goalkeeper could be crowned as the world's best player after being named on the final three-man shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2014.
Strong support
The 28-year-old's inclusion, alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, is fitting reward for a year in which he has been in outstanding form, winning the 2013/14 Bundesliga and DFB Cup titles, as well as the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he was awarded the Golden Glove as the tournament's best custodian.
Neuer had already been nominated for the FIFA FIFpro World XI 2014, joining several fellow Bayern team-mates in the running to be selected in the 2014 Team of the Year.
In recent days several high-profile names in world football have given their backing to a German player to win the 2014 Ballon d'Or, including Joachim Löw, Louis Van Gaal, Michel Platini and Johann Cruyff. The winner will be announced at the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala in Zurich on 12 January 2015.
Take a look at Neuer's latest heroics on the Bundesliga's official YouTube channel:
