Michael Owen’s son had to give up his dreams of following in his father’s footsteps after receiving a heartbreaking diagnosis.
When James Owen was young, he was one of the best players in his age group. But a diagnosis of Stargardt disease, which affects his ability to see details, made his football career impossible.James, now 17, discovered a new perspective on the game after spending time with England’s visually impaired men’s football team.Former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker. He told The Mirror:
“I don’t remember everything because I was diagnosed very young and I got into football straight away. It was hard when I was diagnosed, but it didn’t stop right away. “I kept playing, but Stargardt’s condition got worse and worse, and after a while I realized I couldn’t play. I wouldn’t say it started getting worse, but (everything else) just and it just got better. From that point of view, it’s fun.
It’s gone. I used to play a lot, but I don’t play anymore. “I was still one of the best players. I don’t think my eyesight was a huge hindrance to the teams I played for, but it did get in the way when going pro was an option.“I think I wanted to go pro, but as time went on I got frustrated until I lost interest.
I still enjoy playing football here and there with my friends, but to be honest, if I went back I would have continued for another year or two, but by then I was disappointed and a bit tired. »As part of the documentary “Football for All”, Michael and James learned about football for the visually impaired.
Four visually impaired players and one visually impaired goalkeeper will participate on the indoor soccer field. It helps people who have difficulty with certain colors to see at great distances.Michael says: “Technically, James has always been talented. “When the ball is at his feet, he’s got good balance, he’s quick, he dribbles well and I thought, ‘He’s got a good chance.
‘England hosted the 2023 IBSA World Games with a visually impaired men’s team, including athletes with Stargardt disease and blind men’s and women’s teams. Michael and James guided the team to a better performance than in 2019 when they lost to Ukraine in the final. Michael added: “It’s funny that when James put his shoes back on to make this documentary, he and I and everyone felt it might be a very average standard because people have poor eyesight.
Was awesome. It was the standard. “James was lucky enough to take part in training and score a goal. Was very well. But it was done at a very high level, and that was one of the things that surprised us when we made the documentary. “I’m amazed at the level of these players. It’s a very high standard that I didn’t expect and it’s something that James didn’t expect either.”
He’s had a lot of holes in his career and hasn’t played good football in the last four or five years, so I don’t think it’s easy for him to suddenly think he’s going to play alongside James. club. England team will be the best player in their group and will play the game forever.”But he understood that football is for everyone.
There are a lot of things that people don’t understand about making football accessible to everyone. James wants to spread that to people.” His condition.
