Argentina legend Diego Maradona said on Monday that he believes Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer should pip Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to the Ballon D’Or.
“Neither Messi, nor Ronaldo, my favourite is Neuer, he’s the one who deserves it the most,” said the outspoken former star player and coach during a visit to Cuba.
Maradona arrived in the island nation on Monday to take part in some sports programmes with Venezuelan television station Telesur.
But before that, speaking to Radio Habana Cuba, he said “Ronaldo and Messi were resting” during the last year while Neuer was winning the World Cup with Germany.
Title-holder and twice winner Ronaldo, four-time winner Messi and Neuer have been picked for the final shortlist to win the Ballon D’Or.
It will be presented during an awards ceremony in Zurich on January 12.
Maradona, 54, is due to spend a week in Cuba, during which time he said he may visit the country’s emblematic former leader Fidel Castro.