Speaking exclusively to Get French Football News, former Liverpool and England striker – and Ballon d’Or winner – Michael Owen gave his thoughts on who might win this year’s accolade, as well as talking about former Real Madrid teammate and new France manager Zinédine Zidane.
You won the Ballon d’Or in 2001. The campaigning for this year’s award has already gone on for an eternity. Was it anything like that in your day? Did actual campaigning take place?
Advertisement
Not really, and you’re right, there was no campaigning taking place and little build-up, if I remember. It’s a funny award, as so many things need to go your way in the year and you have to be in a winning team, which I was at the time. Now, with social media, it’s a big build-up and lots of discussion and opinions about it: who should be nominated and who should win, and be in the top three.
Kylian Mbappé seems to be very much on the campaign trail. He scored 40 goals, carrying Real Madrid and then had an outstanding World Cup. Do you think he has a chance to win it?
I absolutely think he has a big chance to win it. When you top the scoring charts in La Liga and also in a World Cup, you have to be seriously considered for this award. Although, ultimately, not winning a major title in a World Cup year, plus neither La Liga nor the Champions League, may count against him. But he still has big achievements which have to take you into the category of being in with a big chance of winning the award.
Ousmane Dembélé is another candidate, as is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after Paris Saint-Germain‘s Champions League win. Are they viable candidates?
Advertisement
Absolutely they are. I think with Dembélé, although winning the Champions League, his World Cup wasn’t as good as Mbappé’s, and for Kvaratskhelia, although excellent for PSG in the season and especially in the Champions League, he didn’t play in the World Cup, which is a major competition and this could mean he may fall a little short. But expect both to definitely be in the running, but not quite the winner.
Zinedine Zidane announced his first squad as France boss last week. You played with him for a season. Where does he rank among your teammates and did he show any indication of being a potentially good coach then?
What a player! He was very special, arguably the most technical player I have played with. His close ball control was so good. Zidane had everything: a good turn of foot, skill, football intelligence, he could finish – a very special player. He was also very difficult to get the ball off as well. It was an honour to play alongside him at Madrid. So yes, he is up there with the best of who I’ve played with for sure. He didn’t really show any potential of wanting to be a coach back then, but when you do have that football intelligence, it can then enable you to be one.
Jeremy Jacquet was named in the squad. What have you made of the start to his Liverpool career?
Advertisement
He has settled in really well at Liverpool and I’ve been impressed by the games I’ve watched so far. He looks assured, mature, and the more games he plays, the more confident he will become. But a really positive start and he’s strong, which helps and he can play with the ball at his feet, so expect more to come from him for sure.
Michael Owen was speaking exclusively to Get French Football News courtesy of football betting
