After Harry Kane ended the long wait for an English Ballon d'Or winner, Michael Owen said he does not get the sort of credit that other people would get for winning the Ballon d'Or.
Owen also said he is immensely proud of winning the Ballon d'Or.
Owen on the reaction in England and Spain
Speaking about the reaction to his success, the former Liverpool striker said: "I believe I don't get the sort of credit that other people would get for winning the Ballon d'Or. It’s never been that important in our country. When I was in Spain, they said I was a hero for winning it. I’m immensely proud of winning it."
Owen looks back at the names behind him
GOAL said Owen won the Ballon d'Or in 2001 at just 22 years old.
GOAL said Owen finished ahead of Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Raul and Rivaldo in the Ballon d'Or voting that year. GOAL also said he finished ahead of David Beckham and Luis Figo to win the award.
Reflecting on the elite company he keeps, the former Real Madrid man said: "I look down the list of names, and I still have it saved on my phone – a photo of the points system and who was second, third, fourth and the rest of it. You look at that list and it’s awe-inspiring. That’s all I ever wanted as a kid. I didn’t just want to be a footballer; I wanted to be the best footballer."
How the award feels now
Owen said: "Winning it feels better now than it did when I was playing. You're 22 -- it's just another trophy, and now I've got to win it again."
