The now-retired Michael Owen is one of the greatest footballers to have come from England and all of Great Britain. His prime in the late 1990s and early 2000s was one of the most electric ever seen in the English Premier League.
Extremely fast, agile, opportunistic and with enormous technical quality, Owen was one of Liverpool FC’s biggest idols during his prime and the “Golden Boy” of British football, so much so that he won the Ballon d’Or in 2001, something that many debate about whether he deserved or not. Deserved or not, Owen was a tremendous striker who was made much better than he was due to injuries.
After tough years with Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City, Owen retired in 2013 and subsequently became a racehorse breeder and sports pundit and commentator. As a pundit, Owen has had a reputation for saying really silly comments like “When they don’t score, they hardly ever win” or “It’s hit the facial part of his head”, and thanks to these comments, many football fans criticize him for, according to them, not being good enough to be a sport pundit.
Now, if Michael Owen wants to be a sports pundit, he can be whatever he wants despite being bad. But, not long ago he said something that was God tier quote.
A few days ago, Owen was a guest on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, where they were discussing who Owen thought was better: Steven Gerrard or Zinedine Zidane.
At one point during the interview, Owen states that for him, defending is easier than creating, football-wise.
And he makes this point using an analogy in which he says that it’s more difficult to destroy something (in this case, a house) than to build it. At this, Rio Ferdinand bursts out laughing.
Lads I know as fans we don’t like Owen…but between him stating why he was better than Rooney at 17 to this absolutely incredible analogy…. I’m starting to rate him a tiny tiny bit 😂pic.twitter.com/uTChkkq1bH
— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) September 7, 2025
Unlike previous moments and a thousand quotes from the former striker, many agreed with the Ballon d’Or winner, as for many, defending is easier than creating or attacking. It’s one of the few times Owen has surprised many with how well he has spoken.
Of course, some people think that, despite it being a good point, a forward can make many mistakes, score a great goal, and then have had a good game. Whereas a defender can defend the goal a thousand times in a game, but if they concede a goal due to their own mistake, it was a disastrous game.
It's a good point, but I disagree with him for this reason.
— Mark Hughes (@109mph) September 7, 2025
A striker can make a dozen mistakes, get it right once to score a banger, and they've had a great game.
A defender has to get it right every time, and if they make a single mistake leading to a goal, it's a stinker
But that depends on each person’s point of view. For some, defending is easier than creating or attacking, and for others, attacking is easier than defending. Now, being able to do both well and with ease is a gift very few possess. Now, Zidane or Gerrard? Zidane is considered by many to be the best midfielder of all time. Sure, Gerrard is a legend and probably the best footballer in the history of Liverpool FC, but Zidane is a different breed of player.
It is an interesting topic brought up by Owen and also an example that he can argue quite well when given the chance. Moreover, it has generated a fascinating debate regarding the roles of players in football and their importance.
