The debate over who was the better player at 17 between Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen has been a hot topic, sparked by Owen himself. Owen, known for his early success at Liverpool, initiated the discussion by highlighting his goal-scoring record and achievements as a teenager. Rooney has now responded to Owen's claims, offering a diplomatic perspective on the comparison.

Owen's Argument

Michael Owen made a confident claim that he outperformed Wayne Rooney at the age of 17. He supported his argument with statistics, pointing out that at 17, he scored 18 Premier League goals and won the Golden Boot, while Rooney scored 6. At 18, Owen again scored 18 goals, secured another Golden Boot, and finished fourth in the Ballon d'Or rankings, whereas Rooney scored 9. Owen also emphasized that he outscored Rooney in their first seven seasons, with 117 goals compared to Rooney's 80 and became the second youngest Ballon d'Or winner. He believes his early achievements have been underrated and eclipse those of Rooney.

Rooney's Response

Wayne Rooney responded to Owen's comments on The Wayne Rooney Show, acknowledging Owen's perspective. Rooney stated that Owen's comments were fair and that he would back himself as well. However, he emphasized that they were different players with different attributes. Rooney admitted that Michael Owen was incredible at 17 and 18, even to the point where he would imitate Owen while playing in the streets. He also acknowledged that Owen, for a period of three to four years, was probably the best center-forward in the world.

Rooney highlighted Owen's early brilliance but noted that injuries hindered Owen's career, preventing him from adapting his game as well as Rooney did. Rooney, who moved to Manchester United at 18, went on to become the club's record goalscorer with 253 goals and won five Premier League titles and a Champions League. He also scored a then-record 53 goals for England.

Different Players, Different Paths

Both Rooney and Owen broke through as teenagers on Merseyside, with Owen at Liverpool and Rooney at Everton. Owen made his mark early, winning the Ballon d'Or at 22. Rooney's career had greater longevity, achieving more over the long term.

Rooney expressed that he would never judge himself against Owen because he looked up to him and had the pleasure of playing alongside him for England and Manchester United. He also addressed Owen's reputation for being "boring" off the field, saying that Owen is one of the funniest people you'll meet.

Ultimately, while Owen's early achievements were remarkable, Rooney's sustained success and adaptability have led many to consider him the better player overall. The debate highlights the different trajectories that talented young players can take and the challenges of comparing players with different strengths and styles.