Yes — Michael Owen won the Ballon d'Or in 2001. The award, given annually by France Football to the best player in Europe, was presented to Owen that December, when he was 22 years old, having turned 22 that same month.
When and at what age did Michael Owen win the Ballon d'Or?
The 2001 Ballon d'Or was announced in December 2001. Owen was 22 at the time of the award, making him one of the youngest ever recipients. He had scored heavily throughout the 2000–01 season, including a hat-trick in the FA Cup final against Arsenal.
Why did Michael Owen win the Ballon d'Or?
Owen's award followed an outstanding 2000–01 season with Liverpool, in which the club won an unprecedented cup treble — the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup — with Owen as the team's leading scorer. His pace, finishing and big-match goals, including the FA Cup final brace that turned the game against Arsenal, made him the standout candidate that year ahead of a strong field of contenders.
Has an Englishman won the Ballon d'Or since?
No English player has won the Ballon d'Or since Owen's win in 2001, which is why he is still routinely described as "the last Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or." In 2004, Pelé further recognised Owen's standing in the game by including him in the FIFA 100 list of the greatest living footballers.
"I won the Ballon d'Or in decline" — Owen, reflecting years later on how a serious hamstring injury affected the rest of that same season.