Michael Owen, the celebrated former England striker and 2001 Ballon d’Or winner, has raised concerns that football is drifting away from its roots of natural talent and creative flair, as athleticism and tactical discipline now dominate the sport.
During his visit to Malaysia for the upcoming AllStar Legends exhibition match, Owen shared his perspective that modern players are being shaped more by rigorous coaching than by instinctive skill. He believes this shift is changing the essence of the game.
“Players aren’t just strikers—across the board, they’re being overcoached,” Owen told Timesport. “There’s so much information out there now, and today’s game has become more about being an athlete than a technical footballer.”
Owen reflected on how this new emphasis on physicality might have sidelined some of the sport’s greatest past talents. He explained that while some legends may have lacked the physical endurance expected today, they made up for it with extraordinary technical ability—qualities he fears are being undervalued in the current era.
The intense physical demands placed on young stars, such as Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo, who are expected to play up to 60 games a season before turning 20, have sparked debate. Owen, who faced similar workloads early in his career, pushed back against claims that overplaying led to his own injuries and shorter peak.
“People say I played too much, but I don’t think that tells the whole story,” Owen noted. “Injuries ran in my family, and I might have been prone to them no matter how many games I played.”
He also pointed out that today’s clubs are better equipped to manage busy schedules, with larger squads and greater resources than were available during his playing days.
“We used to have squads of around 18, playing lots of games. Now, clubs have more than 30 players to handle the same demands,” he said.
Owen, known for his practical mindset, also addressed his career choices, including his move to Manchester United in 2009, which followed a failed return to Liverpool.
“Fans have their opinions, but at the end of the day, it’s a profession for us,” he explained. “I have no regrets. I played for top clubs, won major trophies, and achieved more than I could have hoped for.”
This weekend, Malaysian football fans will have the chance to witness Owen’s enduring technical skills as he takes the field for the AllStar Premier Legends at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). The match, organized by AllStar Sports Sdn Bhd with World Football Legends, will see Owen play alongside Premier League icons like Steven Gerrard, Ryan Giggs, John Arne Riise, and Eidur Gudjohnsen. They’ll face a World Legends squad featuring Alessandro Del Piero, Fernando Morientes, and Jaap Stam.
The event promises to showcase not just athletic prowess, but also the artistry and passion that continue to inspire football fans everywhere.
