I was better than Yamal, Mbappe at 18 — Michael Owen declares

In a candid interview with Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen pushed back against comparisons between himself and modern-day young talents.

Owen exploded onto the Premier League stage as a 17-year-old for Liverpool, quickly becoming a global sensation with his blistering pace and ruthless finishing.

By the age of 18, he had already won two Premier League Golden Boot prizes and scored one of the most iconic World Cup goals ever against Argentina in 1998.

During their discussion, Rio Ferdinand posed the question: “Where will you say 18-year-old Michael Owen sits when compared to the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Rashford, Lamine Yamal, and Wayne Rooney?”

Owen was quick to dismiss the comparison, expressing his disbelief at the notion.

“Where does that come from? Who watches those players as teenagers and compares them to me? I don’t see anybody who could be compared to me at that same stage. The only person you can possibly compare me to in our country is Wayne Rooney.”

Owen led Liverpool to a historic treble in 2001, which saw him win the UEFA Cup, FA Cup, and League Cup, all of which landed him the coveted Ballon d’Or.

His career trajectory then took him to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2004. However, his time there was short-lived, leading to a move to Newcastle United.

He played for Manchester United and Stoke City before injuries forced him to retire in 2013.