Gianluigi Buffon does not fancy Manuel Neuer's chances of becoming the first goalkeeper to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or despite his success at the World Cup.
Juventus captain Buffon, 36, is regarded as one of the finest keepers of all time, but the closest he has come to claiming the Ballon d'Or was in 2006, when he finished runner-up to Fabio Cannavaro after helping Italy to success at that year's World Cup.
Neuer is on a three-man shortlist with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have shared the award between them since 2008, but Buffon believes the Germany star has little prospect of lifting the award in Zurich next month.
"For a goalkeeper to win the award today something truly exceptional has to happen," Buffon told FIFA.com. "Often the prize doesn't go to the best player but to the player who has won more games, and who was most decisive in those victories.
"So perhaps a goalkeeper will win the Ballon d'Or when he helps his team become world champions by winning four games in a row on penalties and saving every spot-kick [laughs]. That way no one can overlook him! But something really remarkable needs to happen."
As well as winning the World Cup, Neuer also won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal for Bayern Munich, but with the Bavarians finding themselves in a league of their own domestically, he was again given little opportunity to underline his credentials.
Ronaldo's Real Madrid beat his Bayern comprehensively in the Champions League semifinals, but it is not purely because of that that Buffon believes the Portuguese forward is favourite to win for a second year running.
"Even if he hadn't won the UEFA Champions League, the player who is the best at a particular moment should be rewarded," added Buffon. "Ronaldo -- in addition to having a splendid career and maintaining a high level of performance over a long period -- has done something exceptional over the last two years, and deserves the recognition.
"That said, I still think that Messi is still the best overall, because when he is 100 percent he is simply sublime to watch. But there is not much difference between the two: they are playing at such a high level that if one drops just a little, the other will overtake him.
"And what Ronaldo did this year was beautiful to behold -- incredibly decisive and professional. You realise that he has the right mindset, and is working towards goals that he sets himself. In the end, people who stand out so deservedly, thanks to their hard work and sacrifice, should be rewarded."