Liverpool legend Michael Owen visits North Coast
The Ballon d’Or winner was in town for the Durban July.
Football legend and horse racing enthusiast Michael Owen made a memorable appearance at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom on Friday.
The former England striker was visiting KwaZulu-Natal for the first time, despite having travelled to South Africa on three previous occasions. Owen was in the province as a SunBet ambassador for the 2025 Durban July, held on Saturday.
The 2001 Ballon d’Or winner spent several hours signing autographs and engaging with fans before speaking about his dual passions: football and horse racing.
“Football has been my life, but racing is my passion – it’s what I love,” said Owen (45), who owns The Michael Owen Racing Club at Manor House Stables in Cheshire, UK.
His racing operation includes more than 130 horses and 40 staff, with several horses co-owned by current and former footballers, including former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
During his visit, Owen toured the Summerveld horse training facility in Shongweni. He expressed admiration for the South African racing scene and hinted at possible future involvement.
“You never know,” he said, adding that he wouldn’t be giving up any secrets just yet.
The two-time English Premier League Golden Boot winner also praised South African cuisine.
“I love the food, it’s bigger, better and the price is more reasonable than in the UK,” he said.
Owen told the Courier that his favourite goal remains his 1998 World Cup wonder strike against Argentina in France.
“If I could relive one game again,” he said, “it would be the 2001 FA Cup Final against Arsenal, because we (Liverpool) won and I scored the winner. Argentina knocked us (England) out of the World Cup, and my goal didn’t count for anything.”
Owen learned of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota’s death (reported on July 3) while flying to Durban.
“It’s the most awful and tragic news. My thoughts are with his family. I cannot imagine the pain they are going through.”
He also criticised the current structure of the FIFA Club World Cup, calling it flawed.
“I cannot take it seriously. How can you have some of the best teams – Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona – not competing?”
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