Liverpool icon Stephen Gerrard recently shared his thoughts with ESPN, expressing his admiration for Ramin Yamal and Kylian Mbappé, referring to them as "incredible" talents. However, he believes that Michael Owen, who was his teammate at Liverpool until Owen’s move to Real Madrid in 2004, surpasses them as a teenager.
At just 18 years old, Barcelona’s Yamal is a top contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or. If he wins, he would become the youngest recipient of the prestigious award, previously held by Ronaldo at 21. Mbappé, now 26, is also among the nominees for this year’s accolade.
Gerrard acknowledged the achievements of his contemporaries, stating to ESPN during the launch of the new Topps Premier League trading card collection, "While the other two are competing for the Ballon d’Or and have already won, it’s important to recognize that Michael Owen was named the best player in the world." He added, “I played alongside him and he was an extraordinary teenager, so I have to say Michael Owen is the best. But both Mbappé and Lamine Yamal are exceptional players.”
Debuting at 17 in 1996, Owen has made his mark as the teenager with the most goals in Premier League history, netting 40 goals before turning 20 in 1999. He also holds the record for the most goals by a teenager in a single calendar year with 25 in 1998. In 2001, Owen became the first British player to win the Ballon d’Or since Kevin Keegan in 1979, during a season in which Liverpool claimed the League Cup, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.
Since joining Barcelona at 15 in 2023, Yamal has made quite an impact, scoring 14 goals and providing 22 assists across all competitions. Meanwhile, Mbappé made headlines at the age of 19 during the 2018 World Cup, scoring in the final and becoming the youngest goal-scorer in that match since Pelé.
Fan Take: This discussion highlights the generational talent shaping soccer today and the legacy of past stars like Owen. For fans, it serves as a reminder of the sport’s evolution and ignites excitement for its future stars, making the upcoming Ballon d’Or a must-watch event.
