Spiteful! I can’t win the Ballon D’Or because I don’t pose in underpants- Neuer

Neuer has thrown a jibe at CR7 regarding the Ballon D'or prize

Bayern Munich and Germany shot stopper, Manuel Neuer has thrown a cheeky dig at Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming that the Real Madrid star will win the Ballon D'Or on the premises of his personality and not really his skills.

The goalkeeper is considered one of the front-runners for this year's award, but some way behind the favourite Ronaldo.

Neuer appeared to suggest his chances are limited because, unlike Ronaldo, he doesn't go in for the spotlight, glitz and glamour or have underwear modelling deals.

The Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper is arguably the best shot stopper in world football currently

'I'm a sportsman, not an ambassador for a brand, beyond being Adidas' first goalkeeper,' Neuer told Kicker. 'I'm not some guy who poses in his underpants' 

'I don't like the red carpet. I prefer the green turf. I feel better on the pitch trying to be the best I can be.' 

Neuer was a key part of the Germany team that won last summer's World Cup, and the most likely from amongst the squad to win the individual award.

Cristiano Ronaldo is equally popular off the field with his CR7 products such as pants, socks and shirts which he recently added.

But the Bayern Munich stopper believes that goalkeepers have little chance of winning individual awards.

The Ballon d'Or has not been awarded to a goalkeeper since 1963, and only two defenders have won it in the past twenty years.

'After the games, the main things they show are goals, the chances, the assists,' explained Neuer. 'Spectators don't tend to remember that the keeper stopped difficult balls by taking a big risk or organised the play from the back'  

CR7 won the award last year (2013) and he's on course to win it for the 3rd time to move a step closer to Messi who has won it four times in a row

Ronaldo is on course to win the Ballon d'Or for the third time, and the second in a row, but faces competition from Neuer and four-time winner Lionel Messi.

The two front-runners will meet in an international friendly at Old Trafford this evening, in a game that is being billed as a shoot-out for the top individual award.

Both players have been backed by their respective international managers and team-mates ahead of the voting, with Portugal manager Fernando Santos conceding 'they are both genius'.

Messi would be looking to outshine CR7 when the pair go head to head at Old Trafford this evening to earn more votes

Messi and Ronaldo, unlike Neuer, are the most famous, and most marketable players in world football, and whatever happens at Old Trafford, would likely affect the overall vote.