Michael Owen played with a plethora of world-class players during his football career. The Chester-born striker, who was highly thought of during his time at Liverpool's academy, went on to make his debut for the club in 1996 at the age of just 17.
Owen went on to have a fine career as he scored goals for fun. After a highly successful career at Liverpool, Owen went on to play for Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Manchester United before hanging up his boots following a short spell with Stoke City. The Englishman also represented his country on 89 occasions.
In 2022, Owen was asked by Telegrafi to name the best XI of players he ever played with. The side that Owen came up with was stacked all over the pitch; so much so that many world-class players didn't even make the squad.
Goalkeeper and Defenders
Michael Owen and John Terry
Owen played with multiple incredible goalkeepers throughout his career, including David Seaman, Iker Casillas and Edwin van der Sar. It is the latter who gets the nod, though, with the Dutchman impressing Owen during their short time together at Man United.
The former England striker felt the need to choose three centre-backs: Sami Hyppia, Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand. He played with all three at club level, while he also represented England alongside Carragher and Ferdinand.
At left wing-back, Owen went with Roberto Carlos, who is regarded as one of the greatest left-backs in football history. While on the right Owen felt he couldn't leave out England teammate David Beckham, despite him not being a defensive-minded player.
Michael Owen's best teammates XI - goalkeeper and defenders
Position
Goalkeeper
Right Wing-Back
Centre-Back
Centre-Back
Centre-Back
Left Wing-Back
Midfielders
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It's no surprise that Owen selected Steven Gerrard in his side. The duo were in the same age group in Liverpool's academy and went on to form a formidable partnership for both club and country. Speaking about Gerrard, Owen said:
"Stevie could do absolutely everything. He could head, he could run, he was fast, he was strong, he could beat players, he could score, he could assist and vision. He had absolutely everything. We had a particular bond, I think, on a football pitch together."
The other two midfielders that make Owen's XI are Paul Scholes and Zinedine Zidane. He played with the former at Man Utd and England and with the latter at Real Madrid.
Michael Owen's best teammates XI - midfielders
Position
Centre-midfielder
Centre-midfielder
Centre-midfielder
Forwards
Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney
Michael Owen's best teammates XI - forwards
Position
Striker
Striker
Like Owen, Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene as a teenager and went on to have an incredible career. The duo were England's starting strikers for a few years before they teamed up together at Man United. While they are good friends and respect each other's ability, Owen is adamant he was a better player than Rooney was at the age of 17.
While Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't a striker when Owen played alongside him at Man Utd, the Englishman also chose the legendary Portuguese in his XI. There can be no complaints there, with Ronaldo widely considered one of the greatest players in football history.
Bench and Notable Omissions
Michael Owen's best teammates XI - bench
Position
Centre-back
Centre-midfielder
Right-wing
Left-wing
Striker
Owen also named a five-man bench. He named Vidic after overlooking him in favour of Hyppia, Carragher and Ferdinand. Owen only played two games alongside Gascoigne but he couldn't leave the England legend out.
Luis Figo, who he played with at Real Madrid, also makes the bench, as does former Liverpool teammate John Barnes. While Alan Shearer also just misses out on the XI, despite the two falling out at Newcastle and not speaking to each other for many years since.
Among the legendary players that don't even make Owen's bench include Iker Casillas, Ashley Cole, John Terry and Frank Lampard.