It’s the conclusion to our *thrilling* three-part series in which we are redistributing the Ballon d’Or.
We’ve already taken you through what would have happened if only defenders and midfielders were nominated.
But what if only goalkeepers were eligible to win the most prestigious individual award in football?
We have gone back and looked at the official voting results, so if you don’t agree, take it up with the world’s captains, coaches and journalists of the last ten years.
2008: IKER CASILLAS
Actual ranking: 4th
Next highest: Gianluigi Buffon
We start with an impressive showing from a Spain and Real Madrid legend.
Casillas was omnipresent between the sticks en route to a domestic league title and a European Championship triumph.
Fernando Torres was the only other player not named Lionel or Cristiano to receive more votes in 2008.
2009: IKER CASILLAS
Actual ranking: =16th
Next highest: Julio Cesar
back-to-back wins for Casillas though a noticeably lower actual ranking.
2010: IKER CASILLAS
Actual ranking: 7th
Next highest: Julio Cesar
And there’s the hat-trick!
Barcelona may have reigned supreme over Real at the time but Spain’s historic World Cup victory allowed Casillas to become the first Spaniard to ever lift the trophy.
What a feeling that must have been.
A nod to Cesar whose inspirational form contributed to Inter Milan’s impressive treble.
2011: IKER CASILLAS
Actual ranking: 9th
Next highest: No other keepers nominated
Okay, this is almost tedious now.
As the only keeper nominated for the award in 2011, Casillas strolled home in a one-horse race.
2012: IKER CASILLAS
Actual ranking: 6th
Next highest: Gianluigi Buffon
Not much more than can be said at this stage.
Casillas will forever be associated with Spain’s hat-trick of international trophies between 2008 – 2012.
There can be little doubt that he was thought of as the best keeper in the world for a considerable spell… by Ballon d’Or voters at least.
2013: MANUEL NEUER
Actual ranking: 23rd
Next highest: No other keepers nominated
This is not a drill, repeat, this is not a drill!
Everyone’s favourite sweeper-keeper broke Casillas’ stranglehold in 2013 following Bayern Munich’s treble.
As with Casillas in 2011, he was the lone the keeper among the nominees, but a worthy winner nonetheless.
2014: MANUEL NEUER
Actual ranking: 3rd
Next highest: Thibaut Courtois
Now this is seriously impressive.
In an age when the top individual awards are dominated by goalscorers, a keeper made the podium of the Ballon d’Or.
Germany’s World Cup win boosted Neuer’s profile to its peak and as a result he rubbed shoulders with Messi and Ronaldo at one of football’s most reputable ceremonies.
2015: MANUEL NEUER
Actual ranking: 7th
Next highest: No other keepers nominated
Dare we say, this is a Casillas-esque streak from the big German?
Again, no other keepers where nominated but his actual ranking put him above the likes of Eden Hazard, Andres Iniesta and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
2016: GIANLUIGI BUFFON
Actual ranking: =9th
Next highest: Rui Patricio
After a couple of silver medal finishes during Casillas’ reign of dominance, Ballon d’Or voters elected Buffon as the world’s best keeper in 2016.
Not bad for a 38-year-old…
Rui Patricio swoops ahead of Hugo Lloris to take the runner-up spot after his talismanic efforts at Euro 2016.
2017: GIANLUIGI BUFFON
Actual ranking: 4th
Next highest: David De Gea
There was more than a hint of sentimentality about Buffon’s actual ranking last year.
Charitable voters opted to recognise the Juventus legend’s sustained class over the course of his career as he finished behind only Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar.
If you haven’t read our revisionist Ballon d’Ors for defenders and midfielders, crack on now…