Former Newcastle United striker Michael Owen has included Magpies legend Alan Shearer in his perfect XI, despite the pair having a public fallout three years ago.
Owen and Shearer, team-mates at Newcastle, traded blows on social media over claims Owen feigned injury for Shearer's doomed final match in charge of the Magpies in 2009 to protect himself and earn a contract elsewhere.
Newcastle were relegated at the end of the 2008/09 season, and Owen joined Manchester United.
The fallout sparked following the release of Owen's autobiography Reboot: My Time, My Life in September 2019.
Owen claimed he 'didn’t have to justify himself to f****** Newcastle fans', and argued Shearer's anger over the manner of his departure from St James' Park was a deflection from his own 'shortcomings' as a manager.
Shearer responded on social media, saying Owen 'hated' playing for up to seven years before his retirement, posting 'we thought that also, whilst on £120k a week…'.
However, despite the feud, in FourFourTwo magazine, Owen named his perfect XI from players he played with throughout his successful career. Owen opted for Shearer up front, with Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo flanking him.
"Robbie Fowler was great, Raul was great, but Shearer was the best in the Premier League," said Owen. "Mentally, he was hard as nails. He didn't have tricks, nor great pace, but his numbers are there for everyone to see. That was down to sheer bloodymindedness and a will to win."
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