Owen: Best yet to come

Michael Owen has enjoyed a sensational 2001

Liverpool striker Michael Owen has declared he is still "light years away" from his best - despite being crowned European Footballer of the Year on Monday.

Owen, who only turned 22 last week, became the first English player to win the prestigious award since Kevin Keegan in 1979.

"It's great to know that a footballer doesn't reach the peak of his career before 27 or 28 years old," he told France Football, the award's organisers.

There are still a lot of steps to climb to become the best with Liverpool and with England

Liverpool striker Michael Owen

"I'm not in a hurry to be that old. I'm still a rookie in the football world.

"And there are still a lot of good seasons ahead.

"Being a good player is not enough for me, and it will never be.

"There are still a lot of steps to climb to become the best with Liverpool and with England.

"I'm still light years away from my best."

The dimunitive striker helped Liverpool to a trophy treble last season, including the FA Cup when he scored two late goals to deny Arsenal victory.

He also produced a string of fine performances for England, the highlight of which was a magnificent hat-trick in the 5-1 thrashing of Germany.

'World's best'

Owen added: "The award goes to me personally but this year was almost perfect for Liverpool who enjoyed great achievements and never faded.

"I'm really proud to add my name to a list which features those of Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Rivaldo, Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan.

"Obviously, I have improved a lot recently. I'm much more consistent now and more steady in my game."

  How they finished

1 M Owen - 176 points

2 Raul - 140

3 Oliver Kahn - 114

4 David Beckham - 102

5 Francesco Totti - 57

6 Luis Figo - 56

7 Rivaldo - 20

8 A Shevchenko - 18

9 Thierry Henry - 14

10 Z Zidane - 14

Owen's Anfield team-mate Gary McAllister told BBC Radio Five Live that the young striker was worthy of the accolade.

He said: "His number of goals in ratio to the number of chances he gets is amazing."

The experienced Scotsman ranked Owen alongside his former team-mate Eric Cantona.

"Michael is as dangerous a forward as I've ever played with," he added.

And Anfield legend Ian Rush joined McAllister in hailing Owen.

"It's richly deserved. Over the last year Michael has been the form man for England, in Europe as well as the Premiership," said Rush.