Owen Picks Gerrard Over Zidane for the Biggest Game of His Life

Football arguments are like socks in a dryer: they disappear, then reappear at the worst possible moment. In 2026, one of the most delightfully awkward debates still has legs: who would Michael Owen pick for the biggest game of his life? The former England striker shared a Real Madrid dressing room with Zinedine Zidane, a man so graceful he could probably nutmeg a thunderstorm. Yet Owen once confessed that for a one-off, all-or-nothing battle, he would choose Steven Gerrard. Cue Liverpool fans nodding like they have just won the lottery, and Real Madrid purists clutching their pearls.

The Zidane Case: Elegance With a Cheat Code ⚽

Zidane is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. The French icon enjoyed a highly decorated career at club and international level, winning the Ballon d'Or and the World Cup in 1998. Renowned for elegance, vision and playmaking, he was arguably the finest passer of his generation. He could dictate games, unlock defences with impeccable technique, and make a simple five-yard pass look like a symphony. Owen himself once praised Zidane as the best player he had ever shared a dressing room with. That is not faint praise; that is a footballing eulogy delivered while the man was still casually destroying midfields.

Plot Twist: Owen's Draft Day Pick 🔄

But Owen, speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, admitted that for the biggest game of his life, he would pick another former teammate ahead of Zidane. That teammate was Steven Gerrard. Owen pointed to Gerrard's power, passing range and goalscoring ability as the ultimate package when everything was on the line. In other words, Zidane was the artist, but Gerrard was the Swiss Army knife that also happened to be on fire. If you need a goal from 30 yards, a crunching tackle, a corner, a captain's speech and a last-minute equaliser, Gerrard was the man. If you need a no-look pass that bends physics, Zidane was your guy. Owen simply wanted the former.

The Liverpool Years: 228 Matches of Telepathy 🔴

Owen and Gerrard both emerged from Liverpool's academy during the late 1990s. They played together at Anfield between 1998 and 2004, before Owen left for Real Madrid. Under Gerard Houllier, they were key players in Liverpool's memorable 2000/01 season, when the Reds lifted the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup. For club and country, Owen and Gerrard played 228 matches together, including at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. That is a lot of shared glances, sprints and probably a few arguments about who should take the free-kick. Their connection was less telepathy and more muscle memory.

Gerrard: Captain, Chaos-Merchant, Legend 🧨

Gerrard spent almost his entire 20-year senior career at Liverpool. He gained a reputation as one of the best midfielders of all time, becoming a symbol of the club's fighting spirit and leadership. He captained Liverpool for much of his career and led the Reds to a plethora of domestic and continental honours. His influence was crucial in some of Liverpool's most memorable moments, including the dramatic 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, where he inspired a stunning comeback against AC Milan. Gerrard won nine major titles during his 18-year stint at Anfield before departing for MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy in 2015. He spent almost two seasons in the United States, making 39 appearances and registering 20 goal contributions, before retiring in January 2017. In short, he was not just a midfielder; he was a defibrillator with boots.

Why the Debate Still Bites in 2026 🗣️

As of 2026, football has more data, more tactical jargon and more slow-motion replays than ever. Yet the Owen versus Zidane versus Gerrard debate still refuses to die. That is because it is not really about stats. It is about what you want when the clock is ticking and the world is watching. Zidane offers elegance, control and the feeling that genius can be peaceful. Gerrard offers chaos, leadership and the sense that one man can drag eleven others over the line. Owen's choice was not a knock on Zidane. It was a preference for a specific kind of hero: the one who scores, tackles, passes and argues with the referee in the same breath.

So there it is. If the biggest game of your life is a chess match, pick Zidane. If it is a muddy war with a trophy at the end, pick Gerrard. Owen picked the mud, the fire and the late goal. Liverpool fans will sing about it forever. Real Madrid fans will shrug and point at the Champions League medals. And football, as always, will laugh and ask for extra time.