Overview

• The BBC Match of the Day account on X asked who was better at 17, prompting Owen to respond with a detailed statistical comparison.
• He highlighted 18 Premier League goals and a Golden Boot at 17, then 18 goals, a second Golden Boot at 18, and fourth place in Ballon d'Or voting.
• Owen said that across their first seven seasons he scored 117 goals to Rooney's 80, asserting Rooney did not outscore him in any of those seasons.
• He acknowledged injuries hindered his career and accepted that Rooney will be regarded as the better player overall for sustaining his level.
• Speaking on Rio Ferdinand's podcast, he reflected that he was not the same after his Liverpool and Real Madrid years, with reports noting 158 Liverpool goals and his 2001 Ballon d'Or.