Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owenis a former English footballer who played as a striker for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City, as well as for the England national team. He is a regular pundit and co-commentator on BT Sport football coverage, and sometimes appears on BBC's Match of the Day as a pundit. Since retiring from football, he has become a successful racehorse breeder and owner...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionSoccer Player
Date of Birth14 December 1979
CityChester, England
I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a journey I could only have dreamed of.
I think England are probably not as streetwise as plenty of other teams. The other top teams know how to keep a victory or do certain things to hang on to leads or get back in games. They're a lot more streetwise than us. I think as a nation we are very honest, we try to win the right way.
I feel that every time I get the ball at the moment I am going to score.
If you only ever give 90% in training then you will only ever give 90% when it matters.
Nobody on this planet had a range of passing like Paul Scholes. Training every day was a pleasure just watching him. Unbelievable career.
I've always been a player that likes to get round the back and get crosses in for other people. When I first burst on to the scene some people only saw the goals I was scoring. More recently they've taken notice of the goals I've set up. It is nice to be recognized for that.
To be at the top, you have to have a competitive streak in you. If you're not performing, you've got to be angry with yourself.
The longer my career has gone, the more I seem to score... It's experience and age and knowing where the ball's going to be.
Henry had taken striking on to a different level
Best atmosphere I ever played in was at Celtic Park in the UEFA Cup for Liverpool.
I have a great family, good friends, a nice girlfriend, my own house. I have got everything how I want it to be.
When it came down to Real Madrid or Newcastle there was no question in my mind, ... I want to play football. I love the Premiership - I've missed it while I've been away.
When it came down to Real Madrid or Newcastle there was no question in my mind. I want to play football. I love the Premiership - I've missed it while I've been away.
When you're a kid you just think about where you are going to be to put yourself in a position for the next scoring chance. But as you develop, you start to do things that may not catch the eye of the normal football watcher, the dropping back, the closing down.