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Soccer players

Rooney Reveals He Used to Pretend to Be Owen as a Youngster

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the debate raged on about who was better in their younger days, Wayne Rooney surprisingly revealed that he used to pretend to be Michael Owen as a young player. Rooney, who is now England and Manchester United's all-time highest goalscorer, said that he used to go out on the street and pretend to be Owen, even though the latter played for Liverpool. Owen, who won the Ballon d'Or at the age of 22, played for Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Stoke during his career. Despite injuries derailing his career, Owen remains one of England's all-time leading scorers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rooney used to pretend to be Michael Owen as a young player, despite Owen playing for Liverpool.
  • Owen won the Ballon d'Or at the age of 22 while playing for Liverpool.
  • Owen played for Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Stoke during his career.
  • Owen made his England debut at the age of 18 in 1998 and became England's youngest goalscorer the same year.
  • Rooney made his England debut at the age of 17 years in 2003 and broke Owen's record of the youngest ever goal scorer for England with a goal against Macedonia at the age of 17 years and 317 days.
  • Rooney became the youngest Premier League goalscorer at the age of 16 with a goal against Arsenal while playing for Everton.
  • Owen scored 222 goals in 486 club matches, while Rooney scored 313 club goals in 763 games for Everton, United, DC United, and Derby.
  • Rooney is United's all-time top goal scorer with 253 goals.
  • Rooney and Owen played in 25 matches together for England and 27 matches together for United.

Statistics:

  • Owen scored 18 Premier League (PL) goals at 17 years old, winning the Golden Boot award.
  • Rooney scored 6 PL goals at 17 years old.
  • Owen scored 18 goals again at 18 years old, winning the Golden Boot award and coming 4th in the Ballon d'Or.
  • Rooney scored 9 goals at 18 years old.
  • In their opening 7 seasons, Owen outscored Rooney 117 goals to 80.
  • Owen became the 2nd youngest Ballon d'Or winner ever.
  • Rooney finished as England and Manchester United's all-time highest goalscorer.
  • Rooney scored 313 club goals in 763 games for Everton, United, DC United, and Derby.
  • Rooney is United's all-time top goal scorer with 253 goals.
  • Rooney played 120 matches for England and scored 53 goals.
  • Owen played 89 matches for England and scored 40 goals.

Sources:

  • The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC
  • Rio Ferdinand podcast
  • Owen's official X account
  • Contify.com

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