Overview

• Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United striker said he and Owen had different attributes and called Owen at 17 and 18 “incredible.”
• Rooney declined a statistical argument, saying he would never judge himself against Owen and describing his former teammate as witty and good company.
• Owen had reignited the debate on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast and on X, citing 18 Premier League goals at 17 and again at 18 with back‑to‑back Golden Boots and early Ballon d’Or recognition.
• Rooney highlighted that injuries affected Owen’s later years, adding that he adjusted his own game by operating from wide areas or midfield when needed.
• Context from their careers shows Rooney as United’s record scorer with five Premier League titles and a Champions League, while Owen scored 222 club goals, won the 2001 Ballon d’Or and later secured one league title.