Michael Owen To Retire at the end of the season

[purpleronnie]

Same haircut all his life. Pathetic

[Guest kristianity77]

I wouldnt say he will go down as a legend. He was well on his way when he was at Liverpool but to be fair he became a bit of a mercenary especially during his time at Newcastle. He was a decent player, but shouldnt go down as one of the best IMO

[Kitchandro]

People talk about his goal against Argentina, and rightly so, one of the best world cup moments of all time and one of my first football memories. But remember this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACSkOXlWEJo

I know it was only a friendly but it was bloody brilliant. Had to listen to it on the car radio, pulled into the drive just as he scored the winner. The car went mental.

That was back when I didn't have a second thought about supporting England.

[Alexikokopops]

People talk about his goal against Argentina, and rightly so, one of the best world cup moments of all time and one of my first football memories. But remember this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACSkOXlWEJo

I know it was only a friendly but it was bloody brilliant. Had to listen to it on the car radio, pulled into the drive just as he scored the winner. The car went mental.

That was back when I didn't have a second thought about supporting England.

Konchesky putting in a fine showing for their second goal

[OzFox]

Amazing mate, you'll never forget that i'm sure. Superb.

My mate Mike will never forget it either. We only had one ticket, and he lost the coin toss. I was half hoping it would be a crap game so he wouldn't miss anything but by half time it was already the game of the tournament.

I still feel bad about that...

[Corky]

Konchesky putting in a fine showing for their second goal

Similar to his efforts for Derby's second goal on Saturday.

[Leicesterpool]

When I was about six, Michael was my favourite footballer along with Paul Merson. He was great in his younger years what ruined him was his move Real Madrid, he was hardly played lost a lot of fitness. Went to Newcastle and again his fitness was a problem. I think he would have been one of England's greats if he stayed at Liverpool a bit longer. His career went down hill from then. Later joined Man U i know, though I think the only reason Fergie signed him was on sympathy. A nice personality and just a shame we didn't have more with personality's like him.

I hope he considers Management than taking a pundit role,

[Guest kristianity77]

People talk about his goal against Argentina, and rightly so, one of the best world cup moments of all time and one of my first football memories. But remember this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACSkOXlWEJo

I know it was only a friendly but it was bloody brilliant. Had to listen to it on the car radio, pulled into the drive just as he scored the winner. The car went mental.

That was back when I didn't have a second thought about supporting England.

Hard to believe that that game was a friendly! I went nuts for the last two goals!

[Uncle Albert]

He'll never be remembered the way he should be at Liverpool but because of the way he left and what he went on to do further in his career it's understandable. He should of gone on to break England's all time scoring record.

I was at the Millennium Stadium the day he won a Final on his own and was probably the best feeling I've ever had in a Stadium!

But for me Owen was always "England's Michael Owen" where as for Liverpool fans it was always "Our Robbie Fowler".

[Rusko187]

Thanks for the memories Michael, I was on holiday in Lanzarote with the fam at the time of that Argentina game... I can't remember how old I was but I remember it so well... The place went nuts when it hit the net! Shame his career was blighted with injuries.

[Uncle Albert]

Thanks for the memories Michael, I was on holiday in Lanzarote with the fam at the time of that Argentina game... I can't remember how old I was but I remember it so well... The place went nuts when it hit the net! Shame his career was blighted with injuries.

Here's a clue it was 15 years ago this June, surely you can work your age out from that? Or is this what FT is producing nowadays..

[Bert]

People talk about his goal against Argentina, and rightly so, one of the best world cup moments of all time and one of my first football memories. But remember this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACSkOXlWEJo

I know it was only a friendly but it was bloody brilliant. Had to listen to it on the car radio, pulled into the drive just as he scored the winner. The car went mental.

That was back when I didn't have a second thought about supporting England.

Without doubt the most celebrated friendly win for me. Went as mad as I did as if the game meant something.

Here's a clue it was 15 years ago this June, surely you can work your age out from that? Or is this what FT is producing nowadays..

[Tom17LCFC]

People talk about his goal against Argentina, and rightly so, one of the best world cup moments of all time and one of my first football memories. But remember this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACSkOXlWEJo

I know it was only a friendly but it was bloody brilliant. Had to listen to it on the car radio, pulled into the drive just as he scored the winner. The car went mental.

That was back when I didn't have a second thought about supporting England.

One of the best England games I've watched. Back when I looked forward to the England games, players wanting to play etc. What a game.

[Guest ttfn]

One of the best England games I've watched. Back when I looked forward to the England games, players wanting to play etc. What a game.

I disagree; the rot had very much set in by this point - this was the exception rather than the rule - an England game worth watching.

As for Owen, he was an absolute hero. He lived the dream. 2 goals in a cup final, won 3 trophies in a season, scored 3 goals in World Cup knockout games and scored frequently at Real Madrid. Not to mention that hat trick in Munich.

In an age when it seems fashionable to slam players (e.g. Rooney and Gerrard) for their perceived failings at international level, it is interesting that Owen seems to be suffering from only ever wanting to perform for England rather than his clubs. 40 goals in 89 games at international level along with a Ballon d'or tells you all you need to know.

A genuinely world class player unfortunately left redundant by injuries and the rise of the single-striker system.

[Guest ttfn]

People talk about his goal against Argentina, and rightly so, one of the best world cup moments of all time and one of my first football memories. But remember this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACSkOXlWEJo

I know it was only a friendly but it was bloody brilliant. Had to listen to it on the car radio, pulled into the drive just as he scored the winner. The car went mental.

That was back when I didn't have a second thought about supporting England.

Say what you like but this is genuinely great centre forward play.

And to appease the hipsters, Riquelme

[Rusko187]

Here's a clue it was 15 years ago this June, surely you can work your age out from that? Or is this what FT is producing nowadays..

Who took the jam out of YOUR donut

[J.Lisemore]

Brilliant player back in his day, not sure if its already been mentioned but he used to have his own TV program on football basics/skills etc? I'd only be a kid at the time but I used to love watching it.

[Les-TA-Jon]

Also if it wasn't for injury he'd easily have retired as England top scorer and 100+ caps

[Kitchandro]

Brilliant player back in his day, not sure if its already been mentioned but he used to have his own TV program on football basics/skills etc? I'd only be a kid at the time but I used to love watching it.

I've got the video haha

There was also that show where he came out the poster in that kid's room. Loved that one.

[Carl the Llama]

I've got the video haha

There was also that show where he came out the poster in that kid's room. Loved that one.

Hero to Zero:

Ranks right up there with Aquila and UBOS.

[AyewJoking]

Iconic player.

Does anyone know if he only signed a 1 year deal at Stoke?

If so, did he always entertain the idea of retiring unless maybe he had a great season and Stoke (or a club less boring) offered him another contract?

[Tom17LCFC]

I disagree; the rot had very much set in by this point - this was the exception rather than the rule - an England game worth watching.

Disagree with that. I looked forward to supporting England right up until Germany 06. It's dipped since then, seems more of a chore now.

[deejdeej]

Ahh that goal against the argies, was in france on holiday at the time and remember watching it at the bar aged 8 when we lost that game it actually felt like i was in mourning, I miss the days when I cared about the national team. Also when he came on against Romania in the group when he scored 1 and hit the post later, nearly turned the game on it's head at such a young age. Its a shame his peak was aged 18-22. Could have been a true great.

[Kitchandro]

Disagree with that. I looked forward to supporting England right up until Germany 06. It's dipped since then, seems more of a chore now.

The whole Shteve era put me off. And everything since has done nothing to convince me to care again.

We were so pathetic at 06 though, not quite as bad as 2010 but very poor and half-hearted.

[Kitchandro]

Ahh that goal against the argies, was in france on holiday at the time and remember watching it at the bar aged 8 when we lost that game it actually felt like i was in mourning, I miss the days when I cared about the national team. Also when he came on against Romania in the group when he scored 1 and hit the post later, nearly turned the game on it's head at such a young age. Its a shame his peak was aged 18-22. Could have been a true great.

He was similar to Rooney in that way.

For England though, he always seemed to turn up. Maybe one the last old fashioned England players.