MICHAEL OWEN NAMED EUROPEAN FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR

England hero Michael Owen, who famously scored a hat trick against Germany in an all-important September World Cup qualifier, is the first Brit in over 20 years to scoop the coveted European Footballer of the Year title.

“I couldn’t believe it when I was first told about it,” said the Liverpool heart-throb. “I knew I was one of the players in question but it still seems unbelievable to me.

“Marco van Basten won it three times and Michel Platini as well. Now my name is added to those of Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Rivaldo, Charlton and Keegan, and I’m extremely proud.”

The title, voted on by some 50 journalists from across Europe, is awarded by France Football magazine. Michael, who snagged headlines with his stunning performance in the Germany match, is the first Englishman since Kevin Keegan in 1979 to secure the European crown.

“This is the most important individual trophy a player can win and it has been in the hands of many legends,” said Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier. “For Michael to come out on top, ahead of 50 other nominated players including the likes of Raul and David Beckham, is a real tribute to him.”

But as 22-year-old Owen was celebrating, it was Beckham who was left licking his wounds. The Manchester United hunk was pipped to the post for FIFA’s World Player of the Year prize this week by Portugal’s Luis Figo.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter handed Becks his runner-up trophy, calling him “a master midfielder with the responsibilities of captaincy, a man on whom his coach can depend for both club and country”. No Briton in history has claimed FIFA’s top accolade, though Beckham has come closest.

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