ENGLAND soccer ace Michael Owen has revealed the behind-the-scenes tales of successful the illustrious Ballon d’Or award.
The Ballon d’Or is taken into account the game’s most prestigious particular person award and is introduced yearly to the participant deemed to have carried out the most effective over the earlier yr.
On Monday the award was received by Lionel Messi for a file eighth time, thanks largely to the 36-year-old lastly lifting the FIFA World Cup with Argentina.
Again in 2001, ex-Liverpool striker Michael Owen turned solely the fourth English participant to win the award and revealed all while talking to youngsters at a soccer vacation camp yesterday.
The video begins with Owen standing in entrance of a bunch of youngsters at a Soccer Escapes vacation in Dubai as they pose inquiries to the 43-year-old.
One little one asks: “When did you discover out [that] you received the Ballon d’Or?”
Owen replies: “I came upon [that] I received the Ballon d’Or about ten days, two weeks earlier than it was introduced, and I used to be sworn to secrecy.”
The curious little one then follows up by questioning: “How did you get it?”
Owen explains: “In order that they got here down with the trophy and I needed to do all of the photographs on the coaching floor after which about ten days later after they introduced it, they put all these photographs I had taken per week or two in the past into the press.
“After which I bought introduced with it on the pitch at Anfield earlier than a recreation.
“So, lately, Ronaldo received it a number of years in the past – Cristiano Ronaldo – and all of the previous Actual Madrid gamers who had received the Ballon d’Or, they went to the Bernabeu to current him with the prize earlier than the sport.
“However these days, in the previous couple of years, they’ve been doing it in a giant ceremony in Paris.”
An grownup on the camp then interjects asking: “Would they know now earlier than the ceremony?”
Owen responds: “I’d say they’d, I’d say so.”
The video was posted to social media yesterday with the caption: “Ever puzzled what it’s prefer to win the Ballon d’Or? Right here’s Liverpool FC legend and Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen to clarify.”
The clip has since acquired over 25,000 likes and dozens of feedback from customers fast to share their opinions on Owen and the Ballon d’Or itself.
One person wrote: “It might be higher in the event that they came upon on the day.”
One other commented: “Ballon d’Or is a poisonous award. so many younger gamers are rising up fixated about successful the Ballon d’Or as an alternative of specializing in correct staff trophies.”
A 3rd stated: “Michael Owen has the persona and talking expertise of an unbuttered piece of toast.”
One other agreed, including: “Stunned everybody was nonetheless awake listening to him.”
Nevertheless, one other wrote: “What an excellent participant.”
Talking at the moment (THUR) a spokesperson for Soccer Escapes stated: “This video came about at our soccer vacation in Dubai at Jumeirah Seaside lodge.
“Soccer Escapes run soccer holidays for households with ex-Premier League footballers internet hosting the programs. We’re fortunate to be joined by Michael Owen this week.”
The Ballon d’Or is determined by journalists the world over who vote for who they consider was the most effective particular person participant within the final calendar yr.
Michael Owen beat Actual Madrid striker Raul and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn to win the award in 2001 and stays the final British participant to be voted the world’s greatest participant.
