Former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen has come in for criticism from an ex-team-mate after his recent outspoken remarks on Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane
Former Liverpool star Michael Owen
Former Liverpool star Michael Owen has come under fire for his comments on Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane
(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Michael Owen has faced accusations of being "disrespectful" after comments that angered one of his former colleagues. The ex-Liverpool striker sparked debate with his appearance on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.
During the interview, he insisted he was superior to Wayne Rooney when both burst onto the Premier League scene as teenagers. Owen made his mark for the Reds in 1997 when he became the club's youngest-ever goalscorer at 17 after netting against Wimbledon.
Rooney also scored on his Premier League debut for Everton at 16 with a wonder goal against Arsenal in 2002. Owen reinforced his claim to being better than Rooney was as a youngster after sharing a post on social media highlighting their respective scoring records during their formative years.
When questioned about his reaction on his self-titled BBC show, Rooney tactfully avoided the debate, opting instead to commend Owen as a "very different player" to himself. But the former Real Madrid star stirred further controversy as he branded Harry Kane "nuts" for his switch to Germany just as he approached becoming the Premier League's all-time leading scorer.
Ex-Manchester United and Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster, who shared the pitch with Owen during his final campaign at Old Trafford in 2009/10, has now launched a scathing critique of his old team-mate. He described him as being ungracious towards six-time European champions Bayern Munich following his remarks about Kane.
Despite recognising his remarkable numbers, Foster continued by slamming Owen for his lack of humility when drawing comparisons between his statistics and Rooney's.
"It is a little bit disrespectful, without a doubt," Foster said on his Fozcast podcast. "If you're listening to that as a Bayern Munich fan, you're saying, 'Hang on a minute, Michael, we're one of the biggest football clubs in the world.'
Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney look on while playing for England
Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney were team-mates for England and Manchester United
"I think it's definitely more aimed at the league. If he (Kane) had stayed in England, he would have been very much on his way to breaking that Alan Shearer record. I understand it, but just leave it. You haven't got to come for him, have you?
"There were a lot of things coming out of that interview, like the comparisons with Wayne Rooney and who was the best at 17 years old. He (Owen) was like nothing you've ever seen before. Don't get me wrong, Wayne Rooney was an absolute beast, but numbers-wise, Michael Owen was on a different planet."
He added: "The only difference is that Wayne Rooney, though, went on and did that in the Premier League for another 12, 13 or 14 years. There's not much modesty there [from Owen] basically. I think with the career that he's had, just enjoy it mate, you've earned it."
Wayne Rooney speaks on The Wayne Rooney Show
Wayne Rooney discussed the comparisons to Michael Owen
Owen, now 45, racked up a remarkable total of 222 goals across a 482-match club career, featuring for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle, Manchester United and Stoke before retiring at 32 following persistent injury problems. He also found the net 40 times whilst representing England.
Rooney, 39, moved from Everton to United when he was just 18 and went on to become their record goalscorer with 253 strikes, securing five Premier League titles and the Champions League along the way. He also netted a then-record 53 goals for England.
Meanwhile, current record holder Kane departed Tottenham in summer 2023 following 19 years with Spurs, moving to Bundesliga powerhouses Bayern. Owen criticised Kane's choice given he had scored 213 Premier League goals for Spurs and was just 48 short of surpassing Alan Shearer's tally.
However, he was vindicated in May when he claimed his maiden career silverware as Bayern secured the Bundesliga crown. Kane has since addressed Owen's remarks, stating he is "very happy" with his switch to Germany.
Harry Kane pictured at St George's Park ahead of England's September World Cup qualifiers
Harry Kane has responded to Michael Owen's criticism of him
Speaking before England's encounter with Serbia on Tuesday, he said: "Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I've spent a bit of time with him but don't know him well. Obviously, he is a Premier League great and an England great as well.
"I'll respect him as a person, but ultimately as he will know, everyone's career is different - everyone's decisions and motivations are different. I know he was insinuating I went just for the trophy, but it was to be at the highest level for as long as possible.
"I'm really happy in that sense of playing big games, title runs, big Champions League matches, the Club World Cup quarter-final. I feel I'm improving as a player, I'm pushing my limits as a player in terms of goalscoring."
Kane added: "It's hard not to hear things these days, but the decisions are best for me and I'm really happy that I made that decision and very happy at Bayern Munich now."