Michael Owen has joked that he would marry Wayne Rooney – although the former England striker predicted their fictional marriage would end in divorce because of “too much alcohol”.
The 46-year-old made the remark while taking part in a light-hearted “shag, marry, avoid” game on Jamie Laing’s Great Company podcast, with Rooney, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer put forward as the possible choices.
Asked to make his selection, Owen replied: “I’ll marry Wazza,” using Rooney’s familiar nickname. He then joked about the likely fate of the imagined relationship, blaming their supposed drinking habits for the breakdown.
Owen also made clear that he would not choose Rooney for the most intimate option in the game, leaving the remaining decisions between Lineker and Shearer.
The exchange came during an episode released on September 1, in which the former Liverpool and England forward discussed his career, the injuries that affected his playing days and the public perception that he is a quiet or “boring” personality.
Owen won the Ballon d’Or in 2001 and played alongside Rooney during their England careers, while Lineker and Shearer are also among the country’s most celebrated former strikers.
