How Michael Owen won the Ballon dOr WITHOUT being crowned the worlds best footballer, Martinez brushes off talk of Everton midfield star joining Arsenal, Pochettino confident Walker will make Tottenham return before Christmas, Man City facing defensive crisis for Sunderland clash as Kompany ruled out, Mourinho stays tight-lipped over Terry's Chelsea future, Peterborough goalkeeper set for permanent Newport move. Press Association report on Manchester United - Liverpool on 10.04.1998. Yet the idyllic Spanish island that was once home to such happy memories . On Boxing Day the striker will run out at Anfield wearing a Newcastle shirt. In 2017, he even made his debut as a jockey, finishing second in the saddle at a charity race in Ascot. Subscribe to one or all notification sources from this one place. Sun 15 Nov . The notorious film director on cheating death, the awfulness of restaurants - and how he can't stand boring people. In 2019, Owen told BT Sport: "For six or seven years, I hated it. But the best years were certainly playing in these tournaments and World Cups when I was young and fearless. Vote for our best League Cup final triumph here: https://t.co/HK8kElFYul pic.twitter.com/zBlQRP7Az6, Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 25, 2017. Everyone I talk to of a certain age knows where they were when I scored that goal against Argentina. So when somebody told me they were going to make an NFT out of that goal, I was just assuming it would be a video or a clip of my goal. For the first time in 16 long years since the shame and tragedy that was Heysel, Liverpool took their place in European football's top club competition. All views expressed in this article are the author's own. Oliv Real Madrid - 1 Goals : 02/03: Liverpool FC - 4 Goals . Despite forming a formidable strike partnership together for England, a feud was ignited because of Shearer's belief that Owen let him down during his spell as Newcastle manager in 2009. Unlike me, who was playing 80-odd games a year, Stevie just couldnt stay fit. If you're in the army you live away for years and years, and I'm not saying to pity footballers. "Even when they were going through a rocky period at the start of the season, I said at the time they'll win the Champions League," Owen recalled. Michael Winner outside his London mansion. But in the '98 World Cup I felt like I was a youngster coming into a really experienced team. ", "Sometimes Im wrongly portrayed as a glamorous celebrity but I dont recognise myself as that person. Owen says the Reds could not match Newcastle's offer 14 years ago, so he reluctantly agreed his switch to St James' Park. Owen: If I lacked confidence I went down the middle News Owen: Liverpool have steel of Ferguson's Man Utd . Ensured Liverpools second League Cup success in three years with the games second goal on 86 minutes after Steven Gerrards first-half opener. They've got the players that just come alive or just know how to do it when they need to do it. But it wasn't the Ballon d'Or which Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Manuel Neuer hope to claim in January,having been shortlisted for the 2014 prize that will crown the world's best player this year. People looking at me as a legend of the game is lovely, I wouldn't swap it for anything. I tried my best to get back, but had to have a look out as to who wanted me and who was the best team to sign for. Mon 21 Jan 2013 09.36 EST. It wasn't nasty and they didn't insult me. I wanted to be the best and I've got a trophy to prove that I was. "They're gonna have loads of energy, they're gonna close down high, they're gonna try to press and they're gonna try to win the ball back high and, obviously, score. "I know people will have Real Madrid down as the favourites, but I think it is a toss of a coin. Real Madrid. He is one of just two Englishmen to win the Ballon d'Or in over 40 years, with Kevin Keegan picking up the gong in 1978 and 1979. ", Michael Owen on his reception in his first game as a Newcastle player at Anfield, "Since I was 10 I didn't just want to be a footballer, I wanted to be the best footballer in the world. The FIFA Ballon d'Or winner receives the same golden balltrophy awarded for the old European Footballer of the Year award, but it is now a truly global trophy. Real claimed their 14th European title with a 1-0. Owen was awarded the 2001 Ballon d'Or for a miraculous calendar year that saw him score 31 goals for Liverpool and pick up five winner's medals. "They are the masters of winning. That's a real honor because I know that I made a nation happy for a period of time. As the team struggled for consistency Owen's goals remained a threat, and although the Premier League title was to remain out of their grasp, Owen and Liverpool won the FA Cup, League Cup (twice), UEFA Cup and Super Cup during his time, most notably claiming four of those titles in 2001. Arsenal team news v Southampton - Fresh injury doubts for Gunners ahead of key fixture. People laugh when I say that I am not naturally injury prone. In 2019, Owen was involved in an explosive Twitter row with former pal Alan Shearer after the release of his autobiography. That year, I went on to win my second Golden Boot, given to the Premier League's leading goalscorer. To me, my World Cup didn't start until our second match, against Romania. Arsenal line-up v Southampton - Wenger to rest Sanchez? But I wasn't used to going away for six weeks and not seeing my family and friends. A season at Real overshadowed by Ronaldo and Raul Amidst speculation of whether it would happen or not, 2004-05 saw Michael Owen joining the Galacticos of Real Madrid as their number 11. View our online Press Pack. And then, of course, I saw Michael playing in training, and I said to myself, 'This boy is not just a young talent, he is going to be a bloody great player! They've just got that experience.". "Mentally I could do it, but physically I couldn't.". For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Owen was the golden boy of English football at the turn of the century, Gemma Owen has been confirmed for the series, Michael Owen announced himself to the world's stage with a stunning goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, Owen's prolific ability helped Liverpool to Uefa Cup victory in 2001, Owen was revered for a sensational goal against Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup final, Owen is the only Englishman in over 40 years to win the Ballon d'Or, Owen sensationally signed for Real Madrid in 2004 but only stayed in Spain for a year, Owen's autobiography saw him enter into a public spat with Alan Shearer over their time together at Newcastle, Owen has said he regrets his move to Newcastle, where he stayed for four years, Owen won a Premier League title during a three-year spell at Manchester United, Owen's final year as a professional was at Stoke where he spent most of the season on the bench, Owen has been ridiculed for his work as a pundit since retiring in 2013. explosive Twitter row with former pal Alan Shearer after the release of his autobiography. Meanwhile, in 1991 FIFA introduced a globalaward to crown the world's best player,with Germany's 1990 World Cup-winning captainLothar Matthaus the first winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/h5G3R68VLg 13 goals he scored against Newcastle while playing for other clubs. MICHAEL OWEN has gone from the golden boy of English football to being considered the 'most boring pundit' in the sport. It's a great piece of art and it was auctioned off by Visa, who I partner with for the World Cup, to support the charity Street Child United. It was his only goal of the season. He is best remembered for his time at Liverpool FC. Michael Owen on Liverpool vs. Real Madrid: 'It is a toss of the coin', the most successful club in the history of the Champions League, Another final allows Liverpool fans to recall the greatest night ever. Was substituted on 78 minutes before the drama of extra time. Liverpool's new goalkeeper target, Man United blow, Wilshere set for Italy? Michael Owen sees red! Former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker Michael Owen has given his verdict on the action ahead of another huge night in the Champions League, as the semi-finals reach their conclusion. You can follow Michael on Instagram @themichaelowen. "This kind of blind delusion is especially true of Newcastle United - which, as I reach for the nearest tin hat, is only a big club in the sense that it has a lot of fans and a big stadium.". The Telegraph report on Liverpool - Portsmouth on 17.03.2004. I spring out of bed every day. I'd heard about him before and he lived up to the expectations that night, and he's certainly exceeded those expectations up to now. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo was the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year. The answer is yes, but without being crowned the best player in world football. Owen played 316 games for club and country ahead of his twenty-fourth birthday compared with 112 by Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes (123) and David Beckham (184). Read on to find out how this happened. I would play a full season with Liverpool and then I was jetting off to play for England, sometimes playing three years above my age group at the highest level. I've got a shiny golden ball called the Ballon d'Or that I was awarded in 2001, it means you're the best player in the world at one particular time. I got all of that except the clap at the start! Looking back, I'm very grateful for everything I did. They understand how to win. I think he is a marvellous player to watch. Owen's Newcastle contract ended on the last day of June 2009 with him leaving the relegated club to look for a new employer as a free agent. He was also not getting ample amount of playing time as the 2006 FIFA World Cup was around the corner and he needed to be playing regularly to be in form and make it to his national squad for the tournament. His most noteworthy moment came during our 4-2 victory against Barcelona. Back in 2002, Liverpool star Owen was fresh off his Ballon d'Or victory having catapulted his career with that stunning goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup. I couldn't wait to retire. Michael Owen is a former professional soccer player for Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United, as well as the England national team. It's great to have the memories, it's great to be able to talk to people about it, but there's nothing quite like doing it. ", All rights reserved - LFCHistory.net - [emailprotected] - This is an independent website not owned by Liverpool Football Club, Terry Owen knew that his son had a gift for goals: "When he was five or six we used to take him along to the mini club, a kind of kid fun session at the Deeside Leisure Centre. He has partnered with Visa on their Master's of Movement project creating NFT art from iconic World Cup goals, which are auctioned off on crypto.com. This My Turn essay features in the latest issue of Newsweek, on stands November 25. The pair played together for Los Blancos during Florentino Perez's Galacticos era. The former-England international has often gone on the record stating that life for his family living in a hotel wasn't what he had planned for and it would often get hectic. Michael Owen has played for both Champions League finalists, and the former striker's experience with both Liverpool and Real Madrid gives him a unique perspective ahead of the weekend's huge contest. Michael Owen. He managed to secure a spot for himself in the Liverpool senior team in his 17th birthday and played an instrumental role in the oncoming years for the club, helping them end their six trophy-less years with a UEFA Cup, FA Cup, and League Cup in the 2000-01 season. 2017 Wireless Group Limited. But in most years the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or winner were one and the same, including every year from 2005 to 2009. Prior to that he had chipped in with a crucial brace against soon-to-be Italian champions Roma in a UEFA Cup win in Rome, en route to claiming the Reds' first European trophy in 17 years. MICHAEL OWEN has revealed the real reason he left boyhood club Liverpool. 1998. Owen looked back on his impressive career and the 2004-2005 campaignwith Real Madrid in particular. Few can have been surprised that Owen's high-profile and controversial move to Manchester was wrecked by injury. Owen almost single-handedly kept Liverpool on course for a cup treble as he scored twice in the final seven minutes to snatch victory from Arsenal after Freddie Ljungbergs opener. I'm old and wise enough not to wallow, but they were the best days. Owen moved to Spain with his two-year-old daughter Gemma Rose and wife Louise Bonsall, and stayed in a business suite for the first five months, which was provided by the club. Then I saw this red and white twirly artwork that was created from the trajectory of my goal. This service is provided on talkSPORT Ltd's Terms of Use in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Even now, I get nice letters every day from Liverpool fans and I'm pleased to see them doing well. The former England striker won trophies with Liverpool and United. Mon 21 Jan 2013 12.28 EST. The FIFA Ballon d'Or winner receives the same golden balltrophy awarded for the old European Footballer of the Year award, but it is now a truly global trophy. Over four years, Owen made just 71 appearances and scored only 26 goals for the Magpies. Less than an hour's drive away from where Owen first played in the famous Madrid shirt at the Estadio Son Moix, his eldest daughter will walk into the infamous Love Island villa tonight. The latest rumours and stories from around the world of football. 2018 Wireless Group Limited. You'd go from being so bored, to all of a sudden having to erupt into life and play the game of your life. December 24, 2005 The Guardian. Africa's George Weah became the first non-European winner in 1995, thanks to his form with AC Milan, while Owen's 2001 win was the fourth for an English player after Sir Stanley Matthews (the inaugural winner in 1956), Sir Bobby Charlton (1966) and Kevin Keegan (twice, in 1978 and 1979). After six months of tortuous negotiations with the board, Owen had a year left on his contract, which left the new manager, Rafa Bentez, in an unenviable position when Real Madrid offered 8m . But in most years the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or winner were one and the same, including every year from 2005 to 2009. I think the better the team that Liverpool play against the better they play, and that's why I give them a chance. Michael Owen has played for both Champions League finalists, and the former striker's experience with both Liverpool and Real Madrid gives him a unique perspective ahead of the weekend's huge . "Freddy was only doing what all the fans constantly do at almost every football club," said Owen. Owen was convinced that his hamstring injury in April 1999 proved a key moment. "When I got home, I switched on Match of the Day to watch the game and I could hear Newcastle fans, my fans, singing: 'What a waste of money,'" he added. There's nothing like scoring a goal and the adrenalin rush. Mostly confined to the bench, Owen came on as a sub 15 times and started 20 games, scoring 13 goals in the Spanish league and 6 goals in 8 other games for the club. Over the next six years, he scored an incredible 118 goals in 216 games for Liverpool, helping the club to an FA Cup, two League Cups, a Community Shield and Uefa Cup. Owen won the Ballon dOr for his exploits, beating the likes of Raul,Oliver Kahn and David Beckham to the title. ", DeCOURCY:Another final allows Liverpool fans to recall the greatest night ever. As told to Newsweek senior editor Jenny Haward. Amidst all the problems faced in his personal life and insufficient playing time, Owen made it clear to the board at Real that he was rooting for a move back to the Premier League. I was massively driven, but obviously my body let me down later on in life and I had a few injuries that slowed me down. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. "I find it really hard to predict," Owen told Dubai Eye 103.8. It was only at the last second when the ball was five yards away from me that I saw an Argentinian shirt out of the corner of my eye. And it was my total life changer. Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has boldly claimed that the Reds are still "the best team in Europe" in spite of Saturday's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. He moved to Manchester United in 2009 where he won a Premier League title but scored just five goals in three years. Lifted the Premier League title for the first time with Manchester United. His slow start to the season also drew criticism from the press and fans alike, but soon he regained form and scored 5 goals in his first seven appearances for the club. But where else to begin than with one of the most memorable goals in English football. Rooney's winner helped us beat Villa in 2010! In his book, which is being serialised in the Daily Mirror,external-link Owen says the Reds could not match Newcastle's offer 14 years ago, so he reluctantly agreed his switch to St James' Park. It is as a pundit that Owen has had most criticism, with the former striker being labelled 'boring', 'monotone' and 'annoying' across social media. I miss the pressure, I miss the feeling that the nation relied on you to score goals. Everything I ate, every time I trained and every time I went to bed at 10 p.m., I was thinking about being an athlete. There's no doubt that Madrid is a good team, with the Spanish giant being the most successful club in the history of the Champions League and its predecessor. Analysis and opinion from our chief football writer. Michael Owen has claimed that Liverpool are still the best side in Europe despite their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. 4 seconds - That's all it took Owen to prove his genius to amazed England bosses. "I should have followed my gut instincts," Owen says in his new book, Reboot - My Life, My Time. He also played for England in the U-15, U-16, U-18 and U-21 levels, scoring a mind-boggling 38 goals in 34 appearances in all the aforementioned competitions. It was only then, when the whole Newcastle stadium applauded me afterwards, that I thought that I was at my peak. By Naomi Reed / November 16, 2022. I just think Liverpool are so perfectly shaped for knockout football, for one-off football, and particularly against good teams. ", SIGN UP to watch the Champions League final LIVE in Canada on DAZN. A decade later, Portugal's Luis Figo was crowned FIFA World Player of the Year (with David Beckham as runner up and Raul third, pictured below), while Ballon d'Or winner Owen finished eighth in the voting.