Manchester City ‘goals king’ Sergio Aguero says the goal English football legend Michael Owen scored against his home country during the 1998 World Cup inspired him to play in the Premier League.
The 1998 World Cup was Owen’s first international tournament. He was the talk of the tournament being an 18-year-old youngster who could dribble and score against any form of defence in football.
Though England could not scale through the round of 16 at the tournament as they lost to Argentina on penalties, Owen left a mark at the tournament that can never be erased. That mark still lives in the heart of 31-year-old Manchester City striker over 22 years after.
Sergio Aguero eulogises Owen
While having an online discussion with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, Sergio Aguero said Owen inspired him to embrace the idea of playing in the Premier League because he and the retired England international have a similar physical structure.
According to the Argentine, throughout Owen’s illustrious career with England national team and Liverpool football club, he never allowed his stature which is smaller than his to limit his passion for the game.
He said that kept him believing that he could do as much as Owen did during his playing days in the Premier League.
The Manchester City striker said: “When I was a kid I was looking up to Michael Owen. “I’ve always said. Even in my book. I like him because he’s small.
“He had the number 10, just like me in my club, and he played as a forward. So I told myself, if a small player like him is doing well in the Premier League I could make it too.
“Imagine that I was only a kid, I was 9-10 years old, it was in 1996, 97, 98.
“He scored this amazing goal with England [at the 1998 World Cup in France]. I was a kid, and when I saw that goal I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was watching the World Cup in my neighbourhood and I was telling everyone I loved Owen.”
Sergio Aguero came to the Premier League in 2011 from Spanish La Liga side Atletico Madrid where he spent 5 years of his football career.
He is the all-time highest goal-scoring foreigner in the Premier League and also Manchester City’s all-time highest goalscorer.
Aguero: Premier League is better than La Liga
Aguero said though he has played in both the Premier League and the Spanish La Liga, he will pick the English league ahead of the Spanish league.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world but first, my wish to go and play in Europe”, he said.
“Fortunately, I have played in the two best leagues but personally, I prefer the English Premier League. I really enjoyed playing in the Spanish La Liga and the Premier League.
“But the Premier League is fantastic, there’s an amazing atmosphere no matter what game you play, stadiums are full. It’s beautiful. Football is fast and, on my side, I just love it.”
