The shortlists for the 2025 Ballon d’Or have been announced, with Yamal tipped as one of the favourites to win the award after an impressive season with Barcelona. This is despite no player having won the Ballon d'Or before their 21st birthday in the almost-70 years of the award which would make Yamal a true record breaker.
The teenager’s performances for Barcelona and Spain have seen him likened to Lionel Messi and has also led him to be nominated for the Kopa Trophy which he is very likely to win. However, Gerrard has spoken to ESPN about how his former teammate Owen was a better talent at his age and respect needs to be put on his name.
"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: (Kylian) Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, wow, they're two incredible players.”
The 18 year old was arguably the most impressive attacking player in Spain and in Europe when he dazzled many in the Champions League. However, Gerrard stood firm by Owen who bagged the Ballon d'Or in 2001 beating Real Madrid legend Raul and Bayern Munich icon Oliver Kahn to the prestigious individual award.
Owen helped Liverpool to a cup treble, which included the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup and scored 24 goals in the 2000/01 season. The award made him just the fourth English player to win the prize after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan, who won it in back-to-back years in 1978 and 1979