
Michael Owen reveals he didn't know what Ballon d'Or was when he won it and had to ask manager about it
MICHAEL OWEN has admitted he had no idea what the Ballon d'Or was - even after winning it.
The former
Advertisement
2
Michael Owen has claimed he had no idea what the Ballon d'Or was
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
2
The former Liverpool striker won the annual gong in 2001
Credit: Getty
Owen played 297 times for the Reds over an eight-year stint, scoring 158 goals.
He later moved to
The 45-year-old's electric pace and lethal finishing made him one of the world's most feared strikers.
Owen bagged 24 goals in 46 Premier League games in 2001, catching the eye of the Ballon d'Or panel.
Advertisement
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
The award is handed out annually to Europe's best player.
But after beating greats including
Owen told talkSPORT: "When Gerard Houllier phoned me and said 'You've won the Ballon d'Or', I'm like 'What's that gaffer'?
"I didn't know what the award was. I never did because I never even knew what it was.
Advertisement
Most read in Football
Exclusive
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
"Back in those days it was never in our press."
Owen was just the fourth English player to win the Ballon d'Or, following Stanley Matthews,
People don't know this' - Michael Owen breaks silence on 'well done he's 13' meme 27 years on from humiliating teenager
But it wasn't until he became a Galactico with Madrid in 2004 that he truly understood its significance.
Advertisement
Owen continued: "When I played for Real Madrid, it's like an MBE, it follows you.
"Whenever they mention your name it's Ballon d'Or winner.
"Abroad it is so big and it's only just cottoned on here for the last five or ten years.
"It's so much bigger in other countries, in foreign countries.
Advertisement
"It quickly sunk in how big it was."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
25 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Tottenham qualify for Uefa competition no English team has ever won – but may end up not playing in it
TOTTENHAM have qualified for the Uefa–Conmebol Club Challenge by winning the Europa League last month. But due to a hectic schedule, the North Londoners may not have time to play it. 3 Tottenham lifted the Europa League trophy last month Credit: Getty Their triumph will see them enter the Uefa Super Cup in August. Tottenham will head to Udine in Italy to face Champions League winners While the Super Cup is a well-known competition, previously won by several English clubs including READ MORE TOTTENHAM NEWS The revamped competition was launched two years as a follow-up to the previous Supercopa Euroamericana. It sees the Europa League winners go up against the champions of its South American counterpart, the Copa Sudamericana. In 2023, perennial Europa League winners The game did not take place last year, as Atalanta and Ecuadorian side Liga de Quito could not arrange a date. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 3 Racing Club are the Copa Sudamericana champions Credit: Getty This year's Copa Sudamericana winners were Argentine side Racing Club. Their club president is former Why Thomas Frank is the PERFECT manager for Tottenham Reports in Argentina suggest that a game could be put on in their country or the US. But according to Tottenham have already confirmed three pre-season friendlies set to take place in three different countries. The Lilywhites will face rivals They will then head to From there they will head to Munich for their third pre-season friendly with Bayern since Harry Kane's move to Bavaria, which will take place on August 7. SunSport Frank, 51, wants to leave Spurs are currently advancing in talks over the Bees' compensation package. 3 Thomas Frank is nearing a move to Tottenham Credit: Getty

The 42
31 minutes ago
- The 42
Chelsea sign 19-year-old Strasbourg defender, Ronaldo intends to remain at Al Nassr
CHELSEA HAVE SIGNED 19-year-old defender Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg on an eight-year deal. The France Under-19 international played 27 times in Ligue 1 last season, his first full campaign in the top flight, as they – managed by Liam Rosenior – finished seventh to qualify for the Conference League. Strasbourg are owned by Chelsea's parent company BlueCo, with Sarr to become the latest player to have spent time at both clubs. Central defence is considered a priority for strengthening this summer after a season in which injuries badly disrupted that area of the pitch. Advertisement First-choice Wesley Fofana made only 14 appearances in the Premier League last term and his availability prospects are a concern, the former Leicester defender having been fit to play just 29 times in the league in the three seasons since he moved to Stamford Bridge. At 19, Sarr is unlikely to be put straight into the team, meaning at present, Enzo Maresca's side are dependent on Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile as their fit senior central defenders ahead of the Club World Cup. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he intends to stay with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. There had been speculation – fuelled by Fifa president Gianni Infantino – the five-time Ballon d'Or winner could join a club competing in this summer's Club World Cup on a short-term deal. The 40-year-old had also hinted his future could lie elsewhere when he posted a message on social media at the end of Al Nassr's season that read: 'This chapter is over. The story? Still being written.' But speaking after Portugal's triumph over Spain in the Uefa Nations League final on Sunday – in which Ronaldo scored his 138th international goal – the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star said he would not be moving on. 'Future? Nothing will change. Al Nassr? Yes,' the forward told reporters. Elsewhere, West Ham are yet to make a formal decision on the future of Michail Antonio despite the forward being listed as a 'free transfer' on the club's retained list. Antonio's current contract is due to expire on June 30 and the Jamaica international is still sidelined after being involved in a car crash in December, which left him with a broken femur. It was announced on Monday that Antonio will appear in the Premier League's retained list as a 'free transfer', but West Ham's current priority is to help him on the road to recovery.


Irish Examiner
32 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Tottenham close in on appointing Thomas Frank as new head coach
Tottenham are closing in on making Brentford boss Thomas Frank their next head coach, the PA news agency understands. Spurs sacked Ange Postecoglou on Friday, despite Europa League success, and quickly set their sights on Frank – who has gained admirers for his work over an impressive seven-year period at the west London club. After positive discussions over the weekend, there is a growing confidence that Frank will be the man to replace Postecoglou, PA understands. Ange Postecoglou was sacked last week after two years in charge (John Walton/PA) Frank's current deal at Brentford runs until the summer of 2027 and contains a release clause reported to be in the region of £10million. Brentford are expected to hold out for Frank's release clause but, while an official approach from Tottenham is yet to occur, the Danish coach is expected to make the move across London. The 51-year-old would take over a Spurs side which won the Europa League last month but finished 17th in the Premier League.