Maradona Thinks Messi And Ronaldo Took A Break

In a television interview given to television programme De Zurda in Cuba, the legendary footballer Diego Maradona has claimed that Manuel Neuer should be awarded the Ballon d'Or this year. The other two candidates also in the running for the prize are the ever present Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Neither Messi or Ronaldo are my choice; my candidate is Neuer who did more to merit the award, I think Ronaldo and Messi took a break", is what Maradona had to say on the whole matter.

Manuel Neuer was a presence in the goal for Bayern Munich as well as his national team Germany. He won the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal domestically with his club last season. He also won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. For his national side he won the ultimate honour, the FIFA World Cup last year with Germany. His sweeper-keeper role for his national side received worldwide acclaim.

Messi for his part scored 41 goals in 46 matches for his club Barcelona in all competitions and scored 14 goals in 20 matches for Argentina, in calendar year 2013 and 2014, taking them to the FIFA World Cup final. He was also the man of the tournament at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Ronaldo scored 51 goals in 47 matches for his club in all competitions. For his national side he scored 15 goals in 18 matches for matches played in 2013 and 2014 calendar year. He was instrumental in winning the La Liga as well as the UEFA Champions League for his club last season. Messi has won the award three times in the last four years. Last year it was won by Cristiano Ronaldo. The winner of the 2015 Ballon d'Or will be presented in a gala award ceremony in Zurich on Jan. 12.

To contact the author of this article email a.biswas@IBTimes.com.au