Wayne Rooney has responded to Michael Owen’s claim that he was a better footballer when the two were teenagers. Both footballers were prodigious talents who didn’t take long to announce themselves on the world stage.
Owen made his Liverpool debut aged 17 in 1997 and become the club’s record youngest goalscorer when he netted against Wimbledon. He went on to become one of the team’s most important players as he scored two goals in the FA Cup final in 2001 to lead Gerard Houllier’s team to the FA Cup. Owen’s individual performances this year were recognised when he won the Ballon d’Or.
The striker’s later career was blighted by injuries after his move to Real Madrid in 2004 as he went on to play for Newcastle United, Stoke City and Manchester United before retiring aged 32. Rooney also scored on his Premier League debut for Everton with an incredible wonderstrike against Arsenal.
He went on to enjoy a longer career than Owen as he transferred to Manchester United and won five Premier League trophies and a Champions League. A debate has recently flared up on who was the better of the players at the age of 17 after comments Owen made on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast.
Owen also responded to a BBC Sport post on X as he said: “At 17 I scored 18 PL goals (winning the Golden Boot), Wazza scored 6. At 18 I again scored 18 goals (again winning the Golden Boot and coming 4th in The Ballon d’Or),
“Wazza scored 9. In our opening 7 seasons, Wazza didn’t outscore me once (117 goals v 80). In which time I became the 2nd youngest Ballon d’Or winner ever.
“Injuries hindered me from then on while he sustained his level. Therefore, he’ll go down as a better player than me. But, at 17, please……”
Rooney has responded to the debate on the latest episode of his podcast as he said: “Me and Michael were very different players, different attributes. “Michael Owen at 17, 18 was incredible.
“I used to go out on the streets and pretend to be him, I’d pretend to be Michael Owen, even though he played for Liverpool! Unfortunately, he did get his injuries and he probably couldn’t adapt his game maybe as well as I could.
“I think his comments are fair. Of course, he’s going to back himself. I’d back myself. But, I’d never judge myself against Michael Owen because he’s someone I actually looked up to and had the pleasure of playing alongside.”
His new podcast launched this season and is available to view and listen on BBC Sport YouTube, BBC Sounds and iPlayer every Monday and Friday morning. The retired England international has been lifting the lid on his family life during episodes of the podcast so far.
Rooney talks about how he was fuming with his wife, Coleen Rooney, after she painted his toenails when he was asleep the night before his first England squad call-up.
He said: “I was in Coleen’s mum and dad’s house…and I fell asleep on the couch the night before, and Coleen painted me toenails while I was asleep, and I had no idea!
“It was like a – I don’t know what colour it was – like a see-through glossy type thing. If you really look close, obviously you could see it. So, I got to England and then you get on with the physios and massages and stuff.
“I went to one of the masseurs and he said: ‘Have you painted your toenails?’ I was raging, I was fuming then.” He also laughed about how life has changed since they became parents.
Rooney said: “Before we had kids, Coleen used to leave me clothes out the night before. She’d put my clothes out, ironed and ready for me to put on the next morning. I know, and then now I’ve got to get up and get my own clothes. I’m fuming.”