{"id":82488,"date":"2026-07-10T01:11:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T08:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=82488"},"modified":"2026-07-10T01:11:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T08:11:51","slug":"michael-owen-reflects-on-a-lifetime-in-football-football-is-my-life-england-legend-says-france-remains-top-favorite-for-2026-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=82488","title":{"rendered":"Michael Owen Reflects on a Lifetime in Football: \u201cFootball Is My Life\u201d \u2014 England Legend Says France Remains Top Favorite for 2026 World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"

LAPost\/Los Angeles (By Richard Ren) July 9, 2026<\/span><\/strong> \u2014 As the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its decisive knockout stages, England football legend and 2001 Ballon d\u2019Or winner Michael Owen appeared in Los Angeles on the evening of July 9 for \u201cThe Odds Night with Michael Owen,\u201d<\/strong> an exclusive event hosted by AI-powered prediction platform SENAL.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019s biggest storylines and title contenders.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

(Photo by Richard Ren\/LAPost)<\/p><\/div>\n

Regarded as one of England\u2019s 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\u2019Or in 2001. Opening the event, the host praised Owen as \u201cone of the greatest strikers of his generation,\u201d highlighting a career that spanned Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and the England national team.<\/span><\/p>\n

When asked when he first fell in love with football, Owen joked:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOther than our names, there\u2019s not much Michael Jackson and I have in common.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He then reflected on his childhood and his lifelong connection with the sport.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom as far back as I can remember, football was my life,\u201d Owen said. \u201cA lot of kids would go to bed with a teddy bear. I went to bed with a football.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He recalled that whenever he had free time, he would run into the garden with a ball and play.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFootball was my best friend. If I had even a little bit of spare time, I would be outside kicking a ball.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to become the best, it has to become your life, not just a hobby. You can\u2019t only play when you feel like it and put it away when you don\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Even when he was 12 or 13 years old and other children began exploring different interests, Owen said he never considered another path.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI never thought about doing anything else. The only thing I wanted to become was a professional footballer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking Back on the Ballon d\u2019Or: \u201cI Was Considered the Best in the World\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\n

Reflecting on his historic 2001 Ballon d\u2019Or triumph, Owen said the achievement has become even more meaningful as he has grown older.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt means more to me now than it did at the time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He explained that professional footballers often move quickly from one challenge to the next.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Only after retirement did he truly begin to appreciate what he had accomplished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was a kid, I told my father that I didn\u2019t just want to become a professional player \u2014 I wanted to become the best player in the world. In 2001, I was actually considered the best in the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLooking back now, that was the peak every footballer dreams of reaching.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The 1998 World Cup Goal Was Iconic \u2014 But His Greatest Memory Was Liverpool\u2019s Comeback Victory<\/span><\/h3>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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(Photo by Richard Ren\/LAPost)<\/p><\/div>\n

Owen acknowledged that the goal changed his life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was the first time I truly stood on the world stage. It was when many fans around the world first recognized me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

However, he said his most cherished football memory was not from the World Cup.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I could relive one day in my life, I would choose that day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He described it as one of the happiest moments of his career and the match he would most like to experience again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Facing the Toughest Defenders<\/span><\/h3>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey were all world-class defenders. Each one had different qualities and different challenges.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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(Photo by Richard Ren\/LAPost)<\/p><\/div>\n

Owen\u2019s 2026 World Cup Analysis: Canada\u2019s Surprise, Brazil\u2019s Disappointment<\/span><\/h3>\n

Turning his attention to the 2026 World Cup, Owen shared his observations of the tournament so far.<\/span><\/p>\n

He said Canada has been the biggest surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNobody 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Owen said those unexpected stories are exactly what make the World Cup special.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, he identified Brazil as the team that has disappointed him the most.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey have a world-class coach and the advantage of adapting to the tournament environment, but their overall performance has not reached expectations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mbapp\u00e9 and Olise Among the Standout Stars<\/span><\/h3>\n

Discussing the tournament\u2019s top performers, Owen said many global stars have delivered, including Harry Kane, Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 and Cristiano Ronaldo.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, one player who particularly impressed him was French winger Michael Olise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrance has one of the best attacking groups in the world. Mbapp\u00e9 and Olise may be the two best attacking players in the world right now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

France Remains Owen\u2019s Favorite to Win the World Cup<\/span><\/h3>\n

When asked about the tournament favorite, Owen stood by his prediction made before the competition began.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t change my opinion. France is still the biggest favorite to win the World Cup.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He believes France currently possesses the most complete and strongest squad in international football.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFour years ago, I thought France were actually the best team at the World Cup. Now they are even stronger than they were then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Owen, France\u2019s only challenge is maintaining unity and playing as a complete team.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf they can truly play as one unit, I don\u2019t see many teams that can beat them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He predicted the semifinalists would be France, Spain, England and Argentina, with a potential final between France and England.<\/span><\/p>\n

Confidence in England\u2019s Title Chances<\/span><\/h3>\n

Owen also expressed optimism about England\u2019s chances.<\/span><\/p>\n

He believes England\u2019s overall strength is significantly greater than Norway\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOther than Erling Haaland, I think it would be difficult to find another Norwegian player who would get into England\u2019s starting lineup.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Owen said England has the quality to reach the final.<\/span><\/p>\n

When asked which team he would choose if he were making an investment prediction, Owen answered immediately:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Although he acknowledged that France\u2019s path could include difficult opponents such as Spain, he believes France remains ahead of the competition in both squad depth and overall quality.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I had to make my prediction today, I would still choose France to win the World Cup.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFootball Is Not Part of My Life \u2014 It Is My Life\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\n

The conversation lasted more than an hour, covering everything from Owen\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout the evening, Owen demonstrated that his passion for football remains unchanged.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he said at the event:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFootball is not a part of my life. It is my life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Those words perhaps best capture the career and legacy of one of football\u2019s greatest goal scorers.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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