Wayne Rooney says Liverpool once had a player who was better than Lionel Messi as a youngster

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Lionel Messi is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.The Reds have always been known for having top talent in their squad, with their current first-team one of the most stacked despite their poor form.Liverpool have not always had such a good team, though, with there usually just being a few in the past dotted around rather than 11, or even a full squad, worth of elite stars.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. There is one in particular too who was one of the greatest ever when he first came up through the ranks, with it looking like the Reds had the next big thing.In fact, Wayne Rooney has gone as far as saying he was even better than Lionel Messi, indicating just how good he really was.Photo by Gary M Prior/Allsport via Getty ImagesWayne Rooney believes that Michael Owen was better than Lionel MessiMessi is known as one of the best to ever grace a football pitch, with the debate between him and Cristiano Ronaldo one that will go on forever.Liverpool have had some great players in their time, but no one would say they have had anyone close to either of these two’s level, or at least that is what most would think.But Rooney has said that he believes Michael Owen was once even better than Messi, with this high praise indeed from someone who is a lifelong rival of the Reds.“It’s tough.

But until 20, I would say Michael Owen,” he said when asked who the better wonderkid between the two for a TikTok for the Daily Mail.Owen’s first proper season at Liverpool saw him win the golden boot in the 1997/98 season, doing so at the age of 18, making him the youngest-ever player to win it to this day.READ MORE: Nottingham Forest hand Arne Slot new reason to hate them as Liverpool boss fails to learn key lesson Who could replace Arne Slot at Liverpool if he is sacked? Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesAndoni IraolaOliver GlasnerJurgen KloppCesc FabregasSteven GerrardRoberto De Zerbi He won it again the following season, showing just how much talent he had, suggesting there is a case for this argument up until the age of 20.Comparing Michael Owen and Lionel Messi before 20Of course, Messi is by far the better footballer and longevity proves exactly that, but to see who was better up until 20, a comparison of statistics needs to be made.Stats before aged 20Michael OwenLionel MessiGames10070Goals5426Stats correct as of 23/11/25With the exact number of assists not widely accessible, the amount of goals can still be a telling sign, with Owen coming out on top in this statistic.Of course, that does not necessarily mean he is better, but it shows the level that he was once at in comparison with one of the greatest ever.Rooney’s claim is certainly bold but he might not be as crazy as many would first think, with Owen a player who could have truly been one of the best if he could have stayed fit.