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Owen could become soccer's first billionaire player
LONDON (AP) -- England's 18-year-old World Cup star Michael Owen could become soccer's first billionaire, the Daily Mirror reported today.The Mirror estimated the value of Owen, who scored one of the most spectacular goals of the tournament during England's second-round loss to Argentina, had soared to at least 50 million pounds ($120 million Cdn).
The paper quoted Peter Draper, a spokesman for sportswear manufacturer Umbro, as saying Owen could become a billionaire.
Umbro signed Owen to a six-year deal three weeks ago, when the Liverpool star was not even a starter in Glenn Hoddle's World Cup team.
"It is possible (Owen) could be the Michael Jordan of football," Draper said, refering to comparisons between the striker and the Chicago Bulls superstar.
"It is that boy next door image image that promises to be his passport to the biggest fortune in footballing history," Draper added.
The Mirror also quoted leading soccer agent Pine Zaravi as saying he was asked to put a value on Owen last year by Italian team AC Milan.
"There was unofficial interest from Milan and they would not have hesitated in paying 27 million pounds ($65 million Cdn) in fee and salary," he said.
Zaravi said the asking price for Owen would have to start at 50 million pounds ($120 million) since the World Cup.
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