Kahn is no god of goalkeeping

Oliver Kahn is a great goalkeeper, but not the infallible demi-god some have made him out to be, according to his Bundesliga rivals who complain that they are undervalued.

Kahn, 33, became the first goalkeeper to win FIFA's Golden Ball award as the best player of the World Cup after his saves saw Germany through to the final against Brazil last month.

The German captain was hailed as a hero in Germany, even after his blunder let Ronaldo in for Brazil's first goal in their 2-0 final victory.

However, two German goalkeepers are saying Kahn's value has been exaggerated and want their talents to be recognised too.

"I don't see everything quite so hysterically. He has been made a hero. First he is built up into some sort of god, then everyone's horrified that he makes a mistake. Every ball that he catches is somehow superhuman," Schalke 04's new goalkeeper Frank Rost told German soccer magazine Kicker.

"There's no doubt Kahn is a very good goalkeeper. If he lets a ball in, everyone shouts that it's unstoppable. If goalkeeper X does the same, he's a jerk.... Kahn is made out to be a superhuman. Everyone else is a loser," added Rost, who was with Werder Bremen for the past 10 seasons.

Claus Reitmaier of FC Wolfsburg took a similar view.

"Olli is without doubt the best goalkeeper, but I'd like more fairness when the performances of others are judged. With him, everyone squeals in astonishment even if he catches the easiest of balls," Reitmaier told Bild newspaper.

To win the Golden Ball, Kahn obtained 25 percent of votes cast by the world's media present at the World Cup final.

Ronaldo, who scored both goals in Brazil's final victory was second with 21 percent of the vote.