The 'Premier League' gap of the September international break has been filled by an odd social media debate focused on former Liverpool star Michael Owen.
Owen emerged through the youth ranks at Anfield in the late 1990s, and became an instant teenage sensation for the Reds, and the England national side.
He remains the No.1 Premier League goalscorer as a teenager, with 40 top-flight goals scored before his 20th birthday, ahead of former teammate Robbie Fowler (35) and Wayne Rooney (30).
In total, Owen registered 158 goals in 297 Liverpool appearances, before making a controversial move to Real Madrid in 2004, on the back of seven sensational seasons.
Owen was the joint winner of the Premier League Golden Boot in 1997/98 and 1998/99, with 18 league goals in both, despite being aged just 17 and 18 respectively.
As a teenager, Owen's record is unmatched, and the 2001 Ballon d'Or winner made that point as part of a podcast interview with ex-Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand.
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"I saw Wazza [Rooney] got asked who was the best out of us at the age of 17 or 18. And I did smile," he said.
"The only person you could possibly compare me to in our country at that age is Rooney."
However, the debate has rumbled on via social media, as Owen called for some respect on his exploits as a teen star on Merseyside.
"At 17 I scored 18 PL goals (winning the Golden Boot), Wazza scored 6. At 18 I again scored 18 goals (again winning the Golden Boot and coming 4th in The Ballon d’Or), Wazza scored 9. In our opening 7 seasons, Wazza didn’t outscore me once (117 goals v 80).
Who was the better player at the age of 17, Michael Owen or Wayne Rooney? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Ooojx1aobw
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 5, 2025
"In which time I became the 2nd youngest Ballon d’Or winner ever. Injuries hindered me from then on while he sustained his level. Therefore, he’ll go down as a better player than me. But, at 17, please……"
Wayne Rooney reacts to Michael Owen's teenage GOAT comments
As Owen indicates, Rooney's future record was far better than his, as the latter ended his career with 208 Premier League goals - as the third-highest of all-time.
Owen's eventually tally, after spells at three other top-flight teams, landed at 150 - as 10th on the list - and Rooney claimed he has no issue with Owen's teenage confidence.
"Michael and I are very different players. When I was a kid, I used to go out on the street and pretend to be Michael Owen - even though he played for Liverpool," Rooney told BBC Sport.
"I think his comments are fair. Of course, he's going to back himself. I'd back myself! I'd never judge myself against Michael because he's someone I looked up to and had the pleasure of playing alongside [for England and United]."
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