'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Michael Owen
Former Liverpool man Michael Owen had given his verdict on who will win the 2018 Ballon d'Or award early in the year.
Owen's win in 2001 marked the last time an Englishman won the award. The accolade soon saw a Messi-Ronaldo duopoly, with Kaka being the only player to break it in 2007.
Speaking of the duo to Marca, Owen said, “I believe that Ronaldo and Messi have changed football.”
“I could have won the Ballon d'Or maybe when Ronaldo was starting at Manchester United or Messi at Barcelona, but when they reached their highest level it would have been impossible."
When asked earlier in the year who would win this year's award, Owen had said, "I think a lot will depend on who wins the Champions League. If Real Madrid wins, then Cristiano Ronaldo will be there once more."
“If Liverpool does it, Salah would be favourite. He has been absolutely brilliant this year, and has done very well in the Egypt team, taking them to the World Cup."
Madrid went on to lift the crown, beating Liverpool in the final, making Ronaldo the clear favourite in Owen's eyes.
