McManaman backs current team mate Raul ahead of Owen

Real Madrid's England midfielder Steve McManaman has reluctantly backed club mate Raul to win this year's European Footballer of the Year award -- ahead of his friend and former Liverpool colleague Michael Owen.

"That's a very hard question for me," McManaman said on Wednesday when asked at a news conference which player he thought should win the Golden Ball honour.

"Raul was top scorer in Spain and in the Champions League last season. Owen also scored a lot of important goals for Liverpool."

"Owen is my friend... but I think it's Raul," he finally decided. "But when I go back to Liverpool, they'll kill me."

Owen and Raul are among 50 players who have been nominated for the 2001 award in the France Football magazine.