Michael Owen Reflects on a Lifetime in Football: “Football Is My Life” — England Legend Says France Remains Top Favorite for 2026 World Cup

LAPost/Los Angeles (By Richard Ren) July 9, 2026 — As the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its decisive knockout stages, England football legend and 2001 Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen appeared in Los Angeles on the evening of July 9 for “The Odds Night with Michael Owen,” an exclusive event hosted by AI-powered prediction platform SENAL.

The former Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Manchester United striker, who represented England in multiple World Cups, shared his remarkable football journey with nearly 100 guests from the technology, investment and sports communities, while offering his analysis of the tournament’s biggest storylines and title contenders.

Regarded as one of England’s most iconic goal scorers, Owen scored hundreds of goals throughout his career and became one of the youngest players ever to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2001. Opening the event, the host praised Owen as “one of the greatest strikers of his generation,” highlighting a career that spanned Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and the England national team.

When asked when he first fell in love with football, Owen joked:

“Other than our names, there’s not much Michael Jackson and I have in common.”

He then reflected on his childhood and his lifelong connection with the sport.

“From as far back as I can remember, football was my life,” Owen said. “A lot of kids would go to bed with a teddy bear. I went to bed with a football.”

He recalled that whenever he had free time, he would run into the garden with a ball and play.

“Football was my best friend. If I had even a little bit of spare time, I would be outside kicking a ball.”

With his father also being a professional footballer, football was deeply embedded in his family culture. However, Owen believes that what truly drove him was not family influence, but a genuine passion for the game.

“If you want to become the best, it has to become your life, not just a hobby. You can’t only play when you feel like it and put it away when you don’t.”

Even when he was 12 or 13 years old and other children began exploring different interests, Owen said he never considered another path.

“I never thought about doing anything else. The only thing I wanted to become was a professional footballer.”

Looking Back on the Ballon d’Or: “I Was Considered the Best in the World”

Reflecting on his historic 2001 Ballon d’Or triumph, Owen said the achievement has become even more meaningful as he has grown older.

“It means more to me now than it did at the time.”

He explained that professional footballers often move quickly from one challenge to the next.

“People might find it surprising, but the day after I won it, I was already preparing for the next match. As a professional player, you have games every three or four days. After winning something, you immediately think about winning the next one.”

Only after retirement did he truly begin to appreciate what he had accomplished.

“When I was a kid, I told my father that I didn’t just want to become a professional player — I wanted to become the best player in the world. In 2001, I was actually considered the best in the world.”

“Looking back now, that was the peak every footballer dreams of reaching.”

The 1998 World Cup Goal Was Iconic — But His Greatest Memory Was Liverpool’s Comeback Victory

When discussing the most unforgettable moment of his career, many fans immediately think of the 1998 FIFA World Cup match against Argentina, where an 18-year-old Owen scored a breathtaking solo goal that announced him on the global stage.

Owen acknowledged that the goal changed his life.

“That was the first time I truly stood on the world stage. It was when many fans around the world first recognized me.”

However, he said his most cherished football memory was not from the World Cup.

Instead, Owen pointed to the 2001 FA Cup Final between Liverpool and Arsenal. Liverpool was trailing 1-0 late in the match before Owen scored twice in the final five minutes to complete a dramatic comeback and lift the trophy.

“If I could relive one day in my life, I would choose that day.”

He described it as one of the happiest moments of his career and the match he would most like to experience again.

Facing the Toughest Defenders

Asked about the most difficult defenders he faced during his career, Owen named several legendary opponents, including French World Cup winner Marcel Desailly, Manchester United defensive icon Jaap Stam, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Barcelona great Carles Puyol.

“They were all world-class defenders. Each one had different qualities and different challenges.”

Owen’s 2026 World Cup Analysis: Canada’s Surprise, Brazil’s Disappointment

Turning his attention to the 2026 World Cup, Owen shared his observations of the tournament so far.

He said Canada has been the biggest surprise.

“Nobody expected them to draw with Spain. Nobody expected them to qualify from the group stage, and then they went on to cause Argentina major problems.”

Owen said those unexpected stories are exactly what make the World Cup special.

On the other hand, he identified Brazil as the team that has disappointed him the most.

“They have a world-class coach and the advantage of adapting to the tournament environment, but their overall performance has not reached expectations.”

Mbappé and Olise Among the Standout Stars

Discussing the tournament’s top performers, Owen said many global stars have delivered, including Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, one player who particularly impressed him was French winger Michael Olise.

“France has one of the best attacking groups in the world. Mbappé and Olise may be the two best attacking players in the world right now.”

France Remains Owen’s Favorite to Win the World Cup

When asked about the tournament favorite, Owen stood by his prediction made before the competition began.

“I wouldn’t change my opinion. France is still the biggest favorite to win the World Cup.”

He believes France currently possesses the most complete and strongest squad in international football.

“Four years ago, I thought France were actually the best team at the World Cup. Now they are even stronger than they were then.”

According to Owen, France’s only challenge is maintaining unity and playing as a complete team.

“If they can truly play as one unit, I don’t see many teams that can beat them.”

He predicted the semifinalists would be France, Spain, England and Argentina, with a potential final between France and England.

Confidence in England’s Title Chances

Owen also expressed optimism about England’s chances.

He believes England’s overall strength is significantly greater than Norway’s.

“Other than Erling Haaland, I think it would be difficult to find another Norwegian player who would get into England’s starting lineup.”

Owen said England has the quality to reach the final.

When asked which team he would choose if he were making an investment prediction, Owen answered immediately:

“France.”

Although he acknowledged that France’s path could include difficult opponents such as Spain, he believes France remains ahead of the competition in both squad depth and overall quality.

“If I had to make my prediction today, I would still choose France to win the World Cup.”

“Football Is Not Part of My Life — It Is My Life”

The conversation lasted more than an hour, covering everything from Owen’s childhood relationship with football, his breakthrough at the 1998 World Cup, his rise to the top of world football in 2001, and his current role as an analyst following the global game.

Throughout the evening, Owen demonstrated that his passion for football remains unchanged.

As he said at the event:

“Football is not a part of my life. It is my life.”

Those words perhaps best capture the career and legacy of one of football’s greatest goal scorers.