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Loew counting on Neuer Ballon d'Or success

Fabrizio Bensch / Reuters

Berlin - Germany's World Cup winning coach Joachim Loew said Friday that he would be satisfied with nothing less than Manuel Neuer winning the Ballon d'Or title.

"These past few years he has stamped his mark on the role of goalkeeper like nobody before him," Loew told the daily Bild three days before the winner is due to be named in Zurich.

"At the World Cup he showed the world his exceptional qualities. Any other choice than Neuer will disappoint me."

Title-holder and twice winner Ronaldo, four-time winner Lionel Messi and Neuer have been picked for the final shortlist to win the Ballon D'Or.

No goalkeeper has won this title since Dynamo Moscow's Lev Yashin, who also played for the former Soviet Union, in 1963.

Loew, 54, is favourite to take the best coach title ahead of Carlo Ancelotti, winner of the Champions League with Real Madrid, and Diego Simeone, Spanish champion and Champions League finalist with Atletico Madrid.

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