Bayern Munich sporting executive Matthias Sammer has backed Manuel Neuer for the Ballon d'Or, telling kicker the Germany international is the finest goalkeeper of all time.
Neuer was named on the three-man shortlist for the 2014 Ballon d'Or award along with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo, the 2013 winner, is the firm favourite, but UEFA president Michel Platini has said a member of the Germany side that won the World Cup deserves to be recognised, and Sammer believes Neuer is a worthy contender.
"He played a big role in Germany's World Cup win," the 1996 European Player of the Year told kicker. "He distinguishes himself through a complex quality, something that has never before been seen in the history of football. Manuel Neuer is the best ever to play in goal."
Bundesliga champions Bayern also had four other World Cup winners on the 23-man Ballon d'Or longlist in Mario Gotze, Philipp Lahm, Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger, as well as Arjen Robben, who helped Netherlands to third place in Brazil.
Sammer said any of the six players at his club could have been in contention for the award. "They would have all deserved it to be among the top three," he said.
Meanwhile, fellow Bayern goalkeeper Pepe Reina is set to return to team training.
Reina, who joined Bayern from Liverpool in the summer, suffered a calf injury in early October but has told the German club's official website that he is "on the home straight" in terms of his recovery.
"I'm really looking forward to playing again," Reina said. "I've been working very hard over the last few weeks. I'll be stronger for it when I come back."
Reina, who spent last season on loan at Napoli, added that he feels great at Munich.
"FC Bayern is a superbly well-organised club and the players are unbelievably good," he said. "The same goes for the coaching staff. It's just like you see on TV but, obviously, it's a thousand times better when you're actually part of it yourself."