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Owen: Ballon d'Or Triumph Unseen in England
30 Oct
Summary
- Michael Owen won the 2001 Ballon d'Or, last for an Englishman.
- He felt his achievement lacked recognition in England.
- Owen beat football legends Zidane and Henry to the award.
Michael Owen has shared his perspective on the lack of recognition for his historic 2001 Ballon d'Or victory, suggesting the achievement was underappreciated in England. Owen remains the last Englishman to secure this prestigious award, with Harry Kane recently ending a nearly 25-year wait.
Owen expressed that the cultural perception of the Ballon d'Or in the UK differed significantly from continental Europe. He noted receiving greater acclaim in Spain during his playing days.
His 2001 win was a monumental achievement, as he outshone football legends like Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Raul, and Rivaldo. Owen, who was only 22 at the time, still cherishes the memory and keeps a record of the voting results.
Owen's victory predated the era of extreme global visibility dominated by Messi and Ronaldo. He admitted that at 22, he viewed it as just another trophy rather than a career-defining moment, a sentiment that has evolved with time.
Following his Ballon d'Or success, Owen's career trajectory was impacted by recurring hamstring injuries and unfortunate transfer decisions, preventing him from reaching such stratospheric heights again.
