Arguably, the two most outstanding strikers of their generation for what they have achieved both at club level and international level, but who has the best resume. Looking at their records both have played for the very biggest teams in the world, and have been superstar players respectively for those clubs. Thierry played Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal and Barcelona, whilst Owen played for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United. Again both similar in respect two three huge teams, and one smaller team. Thierry has managed 448 club appearances and has scored 230 goals whilst he has managed an extra 51 for France in 117 games. Michael has played 347 club matches and has scored 164 goals, with an additional 40 for England in 89 games. So although Thierry has more goals he has played more matches and that is perhaps down to his extra two years in age, and a lot less injuries. But both have a tremendous record and similar attributes – especially when they were at Arsenal and Liverpool respectively. They both had electrifying pace, could come short and deep, and finished in a similar way – opening up their body and finding the corner. So going to individual honours, you have Henry who has collected the PFA Player of the year, Owen the PFA Young player of the year – Thierry four time premier league top scorer and Owen two time top scorer, but Owen does have the Ballon D’Or to his name and both were named in the domestic team of the decade. So it is a close one for me, but I think the difference must come when you look at club honours, now although Owen has perhaps played at the bigger clubs he has not won as much silverware – Thierry has two premier leagues, three FA Cups, two Community shields, One La Liga, Copa Del Rey, Supercopa, Super cup, world club cup, and UEFA European cup and World cup. So that is a good trophy haul, but just when you think it is settled you look at Owen’s collection: one FA Cup, Two league cups, one community shield, one UEFA Cup and Super cup. So although not as illustrious you still have similar honours, but the question is to you. – perhaps not who is/was the better striker, but who in six years time when they are both well retired, who will look back and say they have a better CV based on clubs and goals, and trophies – individual and club. I think it is hard to judge, but I will go with Henry purely because he has had more success on the injury front and on the international stage with the World Cup being the big emission from Owen’s cabinet – as is most of that England generation, I.E: Beckham.
Seconded. In terms of trophies and awards, Owen really doesn't even come close to Henry. 1st mistake of his career: Leaving Liverpool, 2nd mistake of his career: Leaving Real Madrid for Newcastle.
They are two totally different players: 1- STYLE: Henry is much more all rounded and mobile whilst Owen is strictly a striker/scorer. They only share a same aspects; fast and quick - yet weak in header/air 2- CAREER: OWen started brilliantly very early for both club and country (sensational sub for England WC98) and won UEFA cup + EPL topscorer in EPL at 22 (2001) - His ballon dor triophy remarked a big change in English football: last won by Best 1968 as EPL player, and in 1986 by Lineker as English player! However his career faded quickly 2years later 2003 (Real galactico + injuries were main cause) Herny, in other hand started slow at Juve and thanks to Wenger's Skill of TALENT SPOTTING that his career had emerged among the best strikers of last 15years (clubwise) - ironically when Owen started fading 2002. The more Henry played, the better he became and remained as Arsenal legend and also the most memorial EPL star (of this decade) 3- TEAM ACHIEVEMENTS: Here Henry TOPS Owen in every games: - international games (WC98, Euro2000, WC06 final plus Confedcup 03) while Owen could only left his solo goal vs Argentina as a historical trace! - Clubs: Henry won many EPL and 1 UCL final, while Owen's UEFA cup was the only big trophy. 4- INDIVIDUAL: - SKILLS: Henry is more skillful overall, no doubt. - Trophies; despite of the very prestigious Ballon Dor (2001) Owen won, Henry was much more consistent (4times EPL topscorer and very close to win Ballon Dor plus WOPY in 2003) ========================================================= SO NO contest, Henry will be on a higher stand than Owen
At the same age,18 years old,only ronaldo the fenomeno was better than owen in history. Henry and Owen: 90's:Owen was better this decade:Henry was better In their peak:Owen was better In their career:Henry better In 97-02 ,owen was great player, a legend, but henry not.we always think of owen if we talk about "talent".In 1998 WC ,owen looks so great,and in his prime owen like romario,and faster than romario,if not because Injuries,Owen must become best england player ever and one of greatest players in world ever. Some "talent" player like owen,because some problem,their career were not great,but we will always remember,like Denilson,Okocha,Ortega,Paolo Rossi,Kluivert,Djalminha and other
When Owen was super sub at WC98, Henry became WC champion. I wouldn't call this a slow start. Plus he made good impression on the big clubs with his start at Monaco given to him by Wenger.
Well was not Guivarch also a WC champions there too? so ... your point ... What I meant Henry (with a big potential from Monaco) had a slow start at club level Juve. At WC98 he was doing alright (for a youngster) but not as flashy as Owen there. Plus Owen was ALREADY 2 times "Joined Topscorer" in EPL (98 &99) while Henry struggling at Juve! That was my point ... In brief, Owen Raul and Del Piero were all very good at young age and better than Henry from 97-2001 - hence SLOW START (in the sense that we are comparing the two) but Henry was quite very NORMAL as a striker (peak time usually 22-27 yrs old)
The turning point was that Fa Cup final in 01. It was Owen who stole the headlines. After that game Henry set on a path of hard work to mould himself into a more deadly finisher, in the box, to ally with all his other wondrous talents. All the work payed off in the 01-02 season when he beat RVN to the top scorer's title in the EPL. He would get even deadlier as the seasons went on after that.
Agreed, although I'm not positive Owen had the better peak. Both were awesome, but Henry did not have the injuries.
Actually not only Pele, Ronaldo were better than Owen at 18. Maradona, Cruyff and Van Basten were also better but.. hey they all were top all timers ... (a big honour for Owen in that sense)