Michael Owen is MOCKED by fans on social media after telling story about his 'bravery' growing up - as he claims that throwing an APPLE in a bin helped build 'confidence' on the football pitch

Michael Owen has been mocked by fans on social media after revealing that he built 'confidence' by throwing an apple in a bin at his family home. 

Owen, one of just six English players to win the Ballon d'Or, is fondly remembered as one of the greatest attacking talents which this country has produced on the football pitch.  

With 222 professional goals across a 17-year-long career, the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle striker was one of the best to grace the game. 

Now, in a recent interview, Owen has revealed aspects of his life that helped mould him into one of England's best ever players, as he claimed that 'everything was a challenge'.     

Speaking on Upfront with Simon Jordan, Owen said. 'You know, everything was a challenge. You know I would eat an apple while watching the TV at night.

'The bin would be by the TV, six metres away or whatever. I would just do it. I had the bravery to miss and for there to be a stain on the wallpaper and my Mum to absolutely scream at me and send me upstairs.

'I wasn't cocky at all, but the next day I would do the same and I'll be 'bump' and it'll go right in the middle and my Dad would give me a nod of approval. My Mum would be seething, but couldn't say anything, because it went in.

'That confidence, that sort of daring, that nod of approval that 'I don't want to get b******ed by my Mum here', but I'm desperate for a little wink, a little nod from my Dad, to say 'here you cocky little, you know'. That's what I always yearned as a kid.'

Despite the claim that it helped build his confidence and shape him into the player that he was in his career, fans were quick to poke fun at the ex-Liverpool star. 

Plenty of users on X, formerly known as Twitter, posted captions reading: 'Michael Owen after finishing his Apple' with a video accompanying it. 

One video was a clip of Michael van Gerwen celebrating as he stepped up to take a shot, while pulling a hilarious face. 

'Michael Owen’s dad after seeing his son get the apple in the bin two nights in a row,' another wrote before adding a clip of Harry Redknapp saying that Frank Lampard was 'going right to the very top'.

'Michael Owen when he successfully throws his apple in the bin', another wrote before accompanying it with a picture of former Tottenham forward Carlos Vinicius celebrating.

'Showing Michael Owen levels of bravery and choosing to go to the office on a Monday,' another fan cheekily wrote. 

'Michael Owen after he throws an apple into the bin at home,' before adding a picture the striker celebrating while at United.