Michael Owen said it was “almost a relief” his son will not follow him into football due to a rare eye condition that has left him clinically blind.

The ex-England striker said James, 13, would not have to suffer constantly being compared to him.

Owen said: “He’s got Stargardt disease, a degeneration of his retina. I used to go and watch him and b****** him about his positioning.

“He can’t see the ball until it’s five yards away.

“As much as every father wants their son to play, it is almost a relief to me.

“Everyone always asks: ‘Is he going to be a footballer?’

“And then I stand on the side of the pitch and hear: ‘He’s not as good as his dad’.’’

Stargardt disease is presently untreatable, according to leading London eye hospital Moorfields.

But UV-blocking sunglasses can offer some protection for the remaining vision.

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Owen said James was a “proper lad to be proud of, got manners, great in school”.

He added: “He’s academically the best of my kids.’’

The teen’s sisters Gemma, 16, Emily, 12, and nine-year-old Jessica were all sporty.

Jessica represents Great Britain at dressage and Owen said Emily “takes my breath away”.

“She’s the fastest thing – swimmer, runner – and she’s got the attitude to die for,’’ he added.

But racehorse owner Owen admitted he was not so sporty in his retirement and preferred drinking and socialising.

He said: “We’ll go to Chester races and who’s still on the dance floor at 5am when everyone’s gone home? Me. I’m thinking: ‘Come on Michael, you’re nearly 40’.”

Stargardt is a rare inherited condition that affects one in 10,000 people in the UK.

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