"The other two are chasing the Ballon d'Or" - Steven Gerrard claims ex-Liverpool mate was better teenage star than Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has claimed that Michael Owen was better than Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal in his teenage years. As the date for the 2025 Ballon d'Or Gala is getting closer, the race for the coveted individual accolade is heating up.

Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe, among a few other nominees, are seen as favourites for the award. Meanwhile, Gerrard has claimed that Michael Owen was a better player as a teenager. The Englishman believes that his former Reds teammate should receive respect for winning the Ballon d'Or at the age of 22.

However, the former English midfielder also lauded Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe as incredible players. He told ESPN:

"Well, the other two are chasing the Ballon d'Or, and one's got one. So I think you'd have to respect the fact that Michael Owen has been voted the best player in the world."

"I played with him. He was an incredible teenager. So I'd have to say Michael Owen (as the best). But what I would say is: Mbappe and Lamine Yamal, wow, they're two incredible players," he added.

Owen won the Ballon d'Or in 2001, and he's the only player in Liverpool history to win the accolade while playing for the Merseyside club. Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen played for the Reds together from 1998 to 2004, before the latter joined Real Madrid.

Before turning 20 in 1999, Owen scored 40 goals in 79 matches. Moreover, he is still the last English player to win the individual accolade.

Four Liverpool stars nominated for 2025 Ballon d'Or

Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, and Florian Wirtz have been nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or. Salah played a key role in the Reds' Premier League-winning campaign, scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists in 38 appearances.

Club captain Virgil van Dijk and Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister were also important to Liverpool's success in English top-tier football. Florian Wirtz, who joined the Reds this summer, has been nominated for his performance at Bayer Leverkusen.

Meanwhile, Alisson Becker has been nominated for the 2025 Yachine Trophy, and Arne Slot has been named on the shortlist for Coach of the Year. Despite enjoying a breakthrough season, Ryan Gravenberch has been snubbed from the shortlist.

About the author

Shashank is a journalist at Sportskeeda covering European football since the past 2 years. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has also played the sport as a box-to-box midfielder and a full-back at national level, along with Tennis, Taekwondo and Boxing.

Shashank has been a Liverpool supporter since 2014 and had first stumbled upon the club after receiving a gift which had the words 'Liverpool FC' written on it. He has idolised Steven Gerrard over the years but his favorite football memory is the Reds' incredible comeback 4-0 win over Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League semis. He, unsurprisingly, also loves Jurgen Klopp's managerial style.

He strives to report 100% accurate content by going through several social media platforms, and prides himself on his above-average vocabulary and researching skills. In his career so far, Shashank has had the privilege of interviewing Indian national football team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Shashank also follows the Indian Super League and the Eredivisie along with European Football. In his off time, he likes to do theatre, watch Tennis, and travel.

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Edited by Aditya Singh