Speaking at the launch of the 2025–26 Topps Premier League trading card collection, Gerrard emphasised Owen’s unparalleled teenage credentials. He said, “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: Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, wow, they’re two incredible players.”
Owen’s remarkable rise began at just 17 years old, making an unforgettable debut for Liverpool in 1996. Before turning 20 in 1999, he had already bagged 40 Premier League goals in 79 matches, securing his place as the league’s teenage scoring record holder.
His standout 1998 calendar year saw him net 25 goals, another landmark record for a teen, and the 2000–01 season saw him contribute 31 goal involvements (24 goals, 7 assists), helping Liverpool secure a historic UEFA Cup, FA Cup, and League Cup treble. That incredible run culminated in his Ballon d’Or win at age 22, making him one of the youngest ever to receive the honour.
Lamine Yamal, now just 18, has dazzled with 18 goals and 21 assists in the 2024–25 season and completed 244 dribbles—more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues. His ability to take on defenders, create chances, and score in crucial moments has made him one of the most exciting prospects in world football. Yamal’s stellar performances also propelled Barcelona to a treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España titles.
Kylian Mbappé, now 26, has already established himself as one of the sport’s most prolific forwards. In his debut season at Real Madrid, he became the club’s top-scoring newcomer in a single campaign with 43 goals, breaking a long-standing record that had stood since the early 1990s. He also registered 48 goal contributions, surpassing elite attackers like Harry Kane and Raphinha, and recently claimed his first Ballon d’Or.
Gerrard’s perspective hinges on Owen’s Ballon d’Or achievement, a feat neither Yamal nor Mbappé had achieved at the time he made his comments. He framed Owen’s teenage dominance as unmatched, crediting the combination of early maturity, consistent end-product, and real-world accolades that set Owen apart—even in the face of extraordinary contemporary stars.
According to Gerrard, what made Owen stand out was his ability to carry a world-class team at such a young age, delivering not just moments of brilliance but sustained excellence across multiple seasons. While Mbappé’s speed and finishing and Yamal’s flair and dribbling are celebrated, Gerrard insists that the full package Owen brought as a teenager remains unparalleled.
The football community’s reaction has been divided. Some fans argue that Yamal’s technical ability and Mbappé’s dominance in big matches rival Owen’s legacy, while others agree with Gerrard, pointing to Owen’s statistics and trophy haul at such a young age.
As football enters a new era where teenage stars regularly break into senior squads, Gerrard’s remarks serve as a reminder of the exceptional benchmark Owen set. Whether Yamal or Mbappé eventually surpasses that standard remains to be seen, but for now, Gerrard’s loyalty and admiration for his former teammate underline just how extraordinary Owen’s teenage years truly were.
