View source for Michael Owen

{{short description|English footballer (born 1979)}}
{{about|the English footballer|other people}}
{{pp-pc1}}
{{Use British English|date= September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name           = Michael Owen
| image          = Michael Owen.jpg
| caption        = Owen in 2014
| full_name      = Michael James Owen<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/content/dam/premierleague/site-content/News/publications/squad-lists/squad-lists-february-2012.pdf |title=Premier League clubs submit squad lists |date=2 February 2012 |page=23 |publisher=Premier League |access-date=2 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227041058/http://www.premierleague.com/content/dam/premierleague/site-content/News/publications/squad-lists/squad-lists-february-2012.pdf |archive-date=27 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1979|12|14|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |title=2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: England |date=21 March 2014 |page=10 |publisher=FIFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610174527/https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=10 June 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| birth_place    = [[Chester]], England
| height         = {{convert|1.73|m|order=flip}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/owen |title=Michael Owen: Profile |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |access-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010501045139/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/owen |archive-date=1 May 2001 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| position       = [[Forward (association football)#Striker|Striker]]
| youthyears1    =           |youthclubs1 = [[Mold Alexandra F.C.|Mold Alexandra]]
| youthyears2    = 1991–1996 |youthclubs2 = [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
| years1         = 1996–2004 |clubs1 = [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]                 |caps1 = 216 |goals1 = 118
| years2         = 2004–2005 |clubs2 = [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]               |caps2 = 36  |goals2 = 13
| years3         = 2005–2009 |clubs3 = [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]   |caps3 = 71  |goals3 = 26
| years4         = 2009–2012 |clubs4 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] |caps4 = 31  |goals4 = 5
| years5         = 2012–2013 |clubs5 = [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]               |caps5 = 8   |goals5 = 1
| totalcaps      = 362 |totalgoals = 163
| nationalyears1 =           |nationalteam1 = England U15                                             |nationalcaps1 = 8  |nationalgoals1 = 15
| nationalyears2 =           |nationalteam2 = [[England national under-16 football team|England U16]] |nationalcaps2 = 11 |nationalgoals2 = 15
| nationalyears3 =           |nationalteam3 = [[England national under-18 football team|England U18]] |nationalcaps3 = 14 |nationalgoals3 = 10
| nationalyears4 = 1997      |nationalteam4 = [[England national under-20 football team|England U20]] |nationalcaps4 = 4  |nationalgoals4 = 3
| nationalyears5 = 1997      |nationalteam5 = [[England national under-21 football team|England U21]] |nationalcaps5 = 1  |nationalgoals5 = 1
| nationalyears6 = 2006–2007 |nationalteam6 = [[England national football B team|England B]]          |nationalcaps6 = 2  |nationalgoals6 = 0
| nationalyears7 = 1998–2008 |nationalteam7 = [[England national football team|England]]              |nationalcaps7 = 89 |nationalgoals7 = 40
}}
'''Michael James Owen''' (born 14 December 1979) is an English former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]] for [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]], [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], and [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], as well as the [[England national football team|England national team]]. Since retiring from football in 2013, he has become a racehorse breeder and owner and regularly features as a sports [[pundit]] and commentator.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Owen |url=https://sport.bt.com/our-team/pundits/football/michael-owen-01364237703281 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308002902/https://sport.bt.com/our-team/pundits/football/michael-owen-01364237703281 |archive-date=8 March 2019 |access-date=7 March 2019 |website=BT Sport}}</ref> In 2001, Owen was the recipient of the [[2001 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]]. In 2004, he was named by [[Pelé]] in the [[FIFA 100]] list of the world's greatest living players.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 March 2004 |title=Pele's list of the greatest |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533891.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019205959/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533891.stm |archive-date=19 October 2018 |access-date=22 November 2013 |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

The son of former footballer [[Terry Owen]], Owen was born in [[Chester]] and began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. Displaying rapid pace and composed finishing, he progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his [[Premier League]] debut in May 1997, becoming the club's youngest goalscorer, at {{age in years and days|14 December 1979|6 May 1997}}.<ref name="Youngest">{{Cite news |title=Liverpool's youngest Premier League players ever |publisher=Liverpool FC |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/305457-liverpool-s-youngest-premier-league-players-ever |url-status=live |access-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029101006/https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/305457-liverpool-s-youngest-premier-league-players-ever |archive-date=29 October 2021}}</ref> In his first full season in the Premier League, Owen finished as joint top scorer with 18 goals, sharing the [[Premier League Golden Boot]]. He repeated this the following year and was Liverpool's top goal-scorer from 1997 to 2004, gaining his name as a proven goal-scorer despite suffering from a recurring [[hamstring]] injury. In [[2000–01 Liverpool F.C. season|2001]], Liverpool won a cup [[Treble (association football)|treble]] of the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]], [[FA Cup]] (with Owen scoring two late goals in [[2001 FA Cup Final|the final]]) and [[Football League Cup]]. He went on to score 118 goals in 216 appearances in the Premier League for Liverpool, and 158 goals in 297 total appearances.

After Liverpool had fallen behind their title rivals under [[Gérard Houllier]]'s final two seasons, Owen opted not to renew his contract and then moved to Real Madrid for £8&nbsp;million in the summer of 2004. There he was frequently used as a [[substitute (football)|substitute]]. He scored 13 goals in [[La Liga]] before returning to England the following season where he joined Newcastle United for £16.8&nbsp;million. This was after Owen's disappointment that Real had rejected a bid from Liverpool to re-sign him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 August 2005 |title=Real to consider Reds' Owen offer |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4196266.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503074307/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4196266.stm |archive-date=3 May 2021 |access-date=25 September 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Waugh |first=Chris |date=12 January 2017 |title=Michael Owen reveals truth about why he joined Newcastle in 2005, despite wanting Liverpool return |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/michael-owen-reveals-truth-joined-12442045 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304014440/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/michael-owen-reveals-truth-joined-12442045 |archive-date=4 March 2021 |access-date=25 September 2020 |publisher=Chronicle Live}}</ref> After a promising start to the 2005–06 season, injuries largely ruled him out over the next 18 months. After his return, he became team [[Captain (association football)|captain]] and was the team's top scorer for the [[2007–08 Newcastle United F.C. season|2007–08 season]]. Newcastle were relegated in the [[2008–09 Newcastle United F.C. season|2008–09 season]] and, in a surprise move, Owen moved to Manchester United as a [[free agent]]. He spent three years at [[Old Trafford]] before joining Stoke City in September 2012. Owen is one of ten players to have scored [[List of footballers with 100 or more Premier League goals|150 or more goals]] in the Premier League.<ref name="statbunker.com">{{Cite web |title=All time – Leading Scorers Premier League |url=https://www.statbunker.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122045234/http://www.statbunker.com/ |archive-date=22 November 2016 |access-date=1 December 2016 |website=Statbunker football}}</ref> He is also the youngest player to have reached 100 goals in the Premier League.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 March 2013 |title=Michael Owen: his career in numbers |publisher=Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/mar/19/michael-owen-career-in-numbers-retires |url-status=live |access-date=19 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928231003/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/mar/19/michael-owen-career-in-numbers-retires |archive-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> On 19 March 2013, Owen announced his retirement from playing at the end of the [[2012–13 Stoke City F.C. season|2012–13 season]].

Internationally, Owen first played for the senior England team in 1998, becoming England's youngest player and youngest goalscorer at the time. His performance at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]], which included a goal against Argentina in which he ran from the halfway line, brought him to national and international prominence, making him one of the most sought after players in world football.<ref name="Youngest" /> He went on to score in [[UEFA Euro 2000]], the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]] and [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]]. He was the first player to have scored in four consecutive major tournaments for England. He played at the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]], but suffered an injury which took him a year to recover from. Occasionally playing as captain, he made 89 appearances for England, scoring 40 goals, of which 26 were in competitive matches, a record for England at the time of his retirement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arnhold |first=Matthias |date=29 January 2009 |title=England – Record International Players |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/eng-recintlp.html |url-status=live |access-date=11 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402210253/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/eng-recintlp.html |archive-date=2 April 2009}}</ref>

==Early life==
Owen was born in [[Chester]], [[Cheshire]], on 14 December 1979 as the fourth child of Jeanette and [[Terry Owen]].<ref name="JockBio" /> His father is a former professional footballer and played for clubs such as [[Chester City F.C.|Chester City]] and [[Everton F.C.|Everton]]. Owen was introduced to football at the age of seven by his father who soon saw Michael as the most promising athlete in the family.<ref name="JockBio">{{Cite web |title=JockBio – Michael Owen |url=http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Owen/Owen_bio.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208182635/http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Owen/Owen_bio.html |archive-date=8 December 2009 |access-date=13 December 2009 |publisher=JockBio}}</ref> A boyhood Everton fan,<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNulty |first=Phil |date=20 December 2002 |title=The Mersey marvels |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2587699.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054450/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2587699.stm |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=20 July 2021 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref> Owen attended Rector Drew Primary School in [[Hawarden]], [[Flintshire]], Wales and by the age of ten, some of the nation's leading scouts were monitoring his progress.<ref name="Owen's wife recalls paralysis fear">{{Cite web |last=Devine |first=Darren |date=29 December 2008 |title=Michael Owen's wife recalls paralysis fear |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/12/29/michael-owen-s-wife-recalls-paralysis-fear-91466-22564193/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016172012/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/12/29/michael-owen-s-wife-recalls-paralysis-fear-91466-22564193/ |archive-date=16 October 2011 |access-date=13 December 2009 |publisher=Wales Online}}</ref>

At eight, Owen was selected for the Deeside Area Primary School's Under-11 team. At nine, he was captain and at ten he had smashed [[Ian Rush]]'s 20-year record for the same team by scoring 97 goals in a single season, improving on Rush's record by 25 goals.<ref name="Jock numbers">{{Cite web |title=Michael Owen facts |url=http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Owen/Owen_numbers.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091204085921/http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Owen/Owen_numbers.html |archive-date=4 December 2009 |access-date=13 December 2009 |publisher=JockBio}}</ref><ref name="LFC1">{{Cite web |title=Michael Owen – Player Profile |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/391 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024123920/http://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/391 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |access-date=31 August 2012 |publisher=lfchistory.net}}</ref> Owen also broke [[Gary Speed]]'s appearance record having played in all three seasons for the 11-year-olds since he was eight.<ref name="LFC1" /> Owen turned out for the youth team of [[Mold Alexandra F.C.|Mold Alexandra]],<ref name="JockBio" /> playing with the under-10s at the age of eight after a local physical education teacher, Howard Roberts, persuaded the league to allow an under-age player.<ref name="JockBio" /> Owen scored on his debut for Mold Alexandra,<ref name="Jock numbers" /> a 2–0 victory over local rivals Bagillt.<ref name="Jock numbers" /> He went on to score 34 goals in 24 games in his first season with Mold Alexandra.<ref name="espn">{{Cite web |date=13 December 2010 |title=Michael Owen: Legend or villain? |url=http://www.espnstar.com/editorial/news/detail/item722306/Michael-Owen:-Legend-or-villain/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122085418/http://www.espnstar.com/editorial/news/detail/item722306/Michael-Owen:-Legend-or-villain/ |archive-date=22 January 2013 |access-date=31 August 2012 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> After leaving Deeside, Owen attended [[Hawarden High School]], where he also played for the school team.<ref name="Owen's wife recalls paralysis fear" />

==Club career==

===Liverpool===
====1991–1996: Youth career====
[[File:Michael Owen 2010.jpg|thumb|upright|Owen warming up for Liverpool at [[Anfield]] before [[Jamie Carragher]]'s Testimonial Match in 2010]]
At age 12, when Owen started attending secondary school, he became eligible to sign a schoolboy contract with a club. The first major club to spot him playing for Deeside was [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]. [[Brian Kidd]] came down from [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] and there was also interest from [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]. But [[Steve Heighway]], the Liverpool youth development officer, wrote to Owen personally. Terry Owen stated: "[Heighway] wrote us a smashing letter and it was love at first sight for Michael, he was impressed from day one."<ref name="LFC1" /> Owen subsequently signed with the Liverpool youth team. The club then persuaded Owen to attend the FA's School of Excellence at [[Lilleshall Hall|Lilleshall]] in Shropshire at age 14. Owen was soon playing for England teams from under-15 upwards, breaking several scoring records with 28 goals in 20 games for the England u-15s and [[England national under-16 football team|u-16s]].<ref name="LFC1" /> Owen also scored prolifically as he rose rapidly through the Anfield youth ranks.<ref name="lfco">{{Cite web |title=MICHAEL OWEN |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/owen/moreinfo.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070322071851/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/owen/moreinfo.htm |archive-date=22 March 2007 |access-date=8 June 2007 |publisher=Liverpool F.C..tv}}</ref> Throughout this time, Owen had continued his studies and achieved ten [[General Certificate of Secondary Education|GCSE]]s.<ref name="HM">{{Cite web |title=Michael Owen Biography |url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/michael-owen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091211071148/http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/michael-owen/ |archive-date=11 December 2009 |access-date=18 December 2009 |website=Hello|date=8 October 2009 }}</ref> Despite the academic success,<ref name="HM" /> Owen was unshakeable, his future was a professional football career with the Liverpool youth team.<ref name="HM" />

In the 1995–96 season, Owen played for Liverpool's youth team even though he was still at Lilleshall. Most of the players were 18, but Owen was only 16.<ref name="LFC1" /> He scored a [[hat-trick]] against [[FA Youth Cup]] holders Manchester United in the quarter-finals, scoring the winner in extra time.<ref name="LFC1" /> Owen subsequently scored another hat-trick in a 4–2 win in the first leg of the semi against [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]. Liverpool were 3–0 down after only 50 minutes in the second leg,<ref name="LFC1" /> but with Owen taking control of the match and scoring twice, the team ran out as 7–5 winners.<ref name="LFC1" /> Liverpool faced [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] in the final, played over two legs as well. West Ham had not lost in 24 consecutive games,<ref name="LFC1" /> and had future England stars [[Rio Ferdinand]] and [[Frank Lampard]].<ref name="LFC1" /> Owen missed the first leg at [[Boleyn Ground|Upton Park]] as he was on tour duty with the England under-16 team in the European youth championship in Austria.<ref name="LFC1" /> He returned for the second-leg where Liverpool had fallen behind early against West Ham but Owen equalised with his eleventh goal in five cup matches and Liverpool won the match 2–1.<ref name="LFC1" /> It was the first time Liverpool had won the FA Youth Cup in the club's history and Owen was widely considered the star of the FA Youth Cup campaign.<ref name="LFC1" /><ref name="lfco" />

====1996–2000: Breakthrough and prolific goal-scoring====
Owen celebrated his 17th birthday by signing a professional contract with Liverpool. He was handed a place in [[Roy Evans]]' senior squad, with Steve Heighway stating that, "[Owen] is ready for whatever you throw at him; nothing fazes Michael Owen. He's ready. If the manager wants a recommendation from me, Michael gets it."<ref name="ready">{{Cite web |date=January 1997 |title=Owen is ready for big time |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/109 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071344/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/109 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=31 August 2012 |publisher=Liverpool Echo}}</ref> Owen also declared his aim was "a first-team place in the next year or so".<ref name="LFC1" /> [[Karl-Heinz Riedle]], who prior to joining Liverpool in the summer of 1997 had never heard of Owen, declared, "It's unbelievable when you see him play to realise that he's only 17{{nbsp}}... He's such a good player, so very quick and for his age he has excellent vision and awareness. He's a great player already and in one or two years he will become a very great player."<ref name="LFC1" /> Owen was rated as "the best attacker of his age in the country" in January 1997.<ref name="ready" /> [[Ted Powell]], the championship-winning coach of the England under-18 side, declared Owen to be the best of a generation of young players that included [[Paul Scholes]], [[David Beckham]] and [[Robbie Fowler]].<ref name="4sec">{{Cite web |date=31 August 1997 |title=4 seconds – That's all it took Owen to prove his genius to amazed England bosses. |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/109 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071344/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/109 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=31 August 2012 |website=People}}</ref> On 6 May 1997, Owen scored on his Liverpool debut against [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] at [[Selhurst Park]].<ref name="debut">{{Cite web |date=6 May 1997 |title=Lifeless Liverpool wave the white flag |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1242 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213235242/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1242 |archive-date=13 December 2013 |access-date=31 August 2012 |agency=Press Association}}</ref> Liverpool were league title challengers to Manchester United but their failure to beat Wimbledon in the penultimate game of the league season handed the championship to United. The ''[[Liverpool Echo]]'' wrote, "[Only] Michael Owen could emerge with any credit from a performance that mocked Anfield's rich traditions."<ref name="debut" /> Owen, who had come on as a substitute in the second half, "[breathed] new life into the Reds' championship corpse", and "began [Liverpool's] best spell of the night",<ref name="debut" /> but was ultimately not able to salvage a win.<ref name="debut" /> The ''Liverpool Echo'' stated, "It was a debut marked in the grand manner."<ref name="debut" />

Owen replaced the injured Robbie Fowler as Liverpool's first choice striker in [[1997–98 Liverpool F.C. season|1997–98]]. He won the [[Premier League Golden Boot]] and was awarded the [[PFA Young Player of the Year]] award. Owen also finished in third place in the [[PFA Player of the Year]] voting behind [[Dennis Bergkamp]] and [[Tony Adams (footballer)|Tony Adams]].<ref name="pfa1">{{Cite web |date=1 May 1998 |title=Bergkamp nets new year's honour |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/86657.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306071832/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/86657.stm |archive-date=6 March 2016 |access-date=31 August 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> Owen recorded many personal feats during the season and helped Liverpool challenge for the league championship, but ultimately a run of bad form in February saw the club bowing out of the title race.<ref name="sav">{{Cite web |date=14 February 1998 |title=Liverpool Echo report |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1718 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220300/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1718 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=31 August 2012 |website=Liverpool Echo}}</ref> The ''Liverpool Echo'' wrote that, "[Owen] has become Liverpool's most precious performer and, quite simply, their saviour."<ref name="sav" /> Owen signed a five-year contract with Liverpool worth £2.5&nbsp;million during the season.<ref name="LFC1" /> His £10,000-a-week deal made him the highest-paid teenager in the history of British football.<ref name="LFC1" /> Owen was runner-up to [[Zinedine Zidane]] in the [[World Soccer (magazine)|World Player of the Year]] award, also finishing in fourth position in the [[FIFA World Player of the Year]] and [[Ballon d'Or|European Player of the Year]] international awards. Owen retained the [[Premier League Golden Boot]] in [[1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season|1998–99]] despite incurring a hamstring injury against [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] that prematurely brought his season to an end on 12 April. With his pace identified as his greatest strength, Liverpool's game had revolved around feeding him with through passes and long balls. Owen constantly moved from static positions to full speed in a matter of split seconds. [[ESPN]] wrote, "It [would] eventually [prove] too much for [Owen's] hamstring to handle.<ref name="espn" /> Liverpool failed to challenge for the league title that season despite Owen's brilliant form. The club had appointed a new manager in [[Gérard Houllier]] and were transitioning out of the [[Spice Boys (footballers)|Spice Boys]] era. Owen ended the 1998–99 season as runners-up to [[Nicolas Anelka]] in the PFA Young Player of the Year award.<ref name="pfa2">{{Cite news |date=26 April 1999 |title=Sad Vialli throws in title towel |work=The Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/sad-vialli-throws-in-title-towel-412873.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054459/https://www.independent.ie/sport/sad-vialli-throws-in-title-towel-26154361.html |archive-date=15 August 2022}}</ref>

Owen returned to action after almost five months of layoff during the [[1999–2000 Liverpool F.C. season|1999–2000 season]].<ref name="LFC1" /> He played intermittently throughout the season and ended up ceding the Golden Boot to [[Kevin Phillips (footballer)|Kevin Phillips]].<ref name="dp">{{Cite web |date=22 January 2000 |title=Liverpool Daily Post report |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1570 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071344/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1570 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=31 August 2012 |website=Liverpool Daily Post}}</ref> He had completed only six full games by January and, during a frustrating spell punctuated by recurring breakdowns,<ref name="dp" /> had managed to stay the 90 minutes only three times since mid-October. Owen injured his hamstring once again while playing against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] in January. He remained out of action for well over a month and later received treatment from German doctor [[Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt]].<ref name="bbc">{{Cite news |date=24 May 2000 |title=Owen shrugs off fitness fears |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/england/760562.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030407091116/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/england/760562.stm |archive-date=7 April 2003}}</ref> The persistent hamstring problems ended up robbing Liverpool of Owen for a third of a season in which a lack of goals eventually cost them a place in the [[2000–01 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]].<ref name="bbc" />

====2000–2002: Ballon d'Or and  treble====
Owen helped Liverpool to a [[Treble (association football)|treble]] in [[2000–01 Liverpool F.C. season|2000–01]], as the team won the [[2000–01 Football League Cup|League Cup]], [[2000–01 FA Cup|FA Cup]] and [[2000–01 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]] to end a six-year trophy drought.<ref name="ga">{{Cite news |date=16 May 2001 |title=Liverpool win the greatest final |work=The Guardian |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/2001 |url-status=live |access-date=31 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207100305/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/2001 |archive-date=7 February 2015}}</ref> Owen was thus the recipient of the [[Ballon d'Or]] in recognition of his performances that season.<ref name="bbc2">{{Cite news |date=17 December 2001 |title=Owen's crowning glory |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1715911.stm |url-status=live |access-date=27 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031211185332/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1715911.stm |archive-date=11 December 2003}}</ref> He became the most recent English winner of the European Footballer of the Year award, and the first Englishman to win the award since [[Kevin Keegan]] in 1979. Owen scored both of Liverpool's goals in their triumph over Arsenal in the [[2001 FA Cup Final]] as they came back from 1–0 down to win 2–1.<ref name="ga2">{{Cite news |date=14 May 2001 |title=Five minutes that turned the world upside down |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/may/14/match.sport |url-status=live |access-date=31 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901044456/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/may/14/match.sport |archive-date=1 September 2018}}</ref><ref name="ga3">{{Cite news |date=14 May 2001 |title=Owen spikes the Gunners |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/may/13/match.sport |url-status=live |access-date=31 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106204340/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/may/13/match.sport |archive-date=6 November 2018}}</ref>

Liverpool and Owen challenged for the league championship during the [[2001–02 Liverpool F.C. season|2001–02 season]].<ref name="str">{{Cite web |date=24 April 2002 |title=Owen takes strain for Liverpool |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1153 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071344/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1153 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=31 August 2012 |website=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref name="whi">{{Cite web |date=11 March 2002 |title=Ipswich slip away with a whimper |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1156 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071344/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1156 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=31 August 2012 |website=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> The team eventually finished runners-up to Arsenal, with Owen playing a key part in the campaign.<ref name="str" /> On 29 December 2001, Owen scored his 100th goal for Liverpool during the season against West Ham United.<ref name="plhun">{{Cite web |date=29 December 2001 |title=Title race wide open as Owen rescues Liverpool |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1108 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071344/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1108 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=1 September 2012 |website=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> He also led them to success in the [[2001 FA Charity Shield|Charity Shield]] and the [[2001 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]] during the start of the season in 2001. Liverpool thus became the first English team to win five trophies in one calendar year.<ref name="LFC1" /> Owen signed a four-year contract worth £70,000-a-week with Liverpool during the season, making him one of the highest earners in the English Premiership.<ref name="cosev">{{Cite news |date=26 September 2001 |title=Owen signs four-year contract at Anfield |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/3013582/Owen-signs-four-year-contract-at-Anfield.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=1 September 2012 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/3013582/Owen-signs-four-year-contract-at-Anfield.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] president [[Florentino Pérez]] started as early as in March 2002 to pursue Owen.<ref name="LFC1" /> Pérez declared his intentions to make Owen the next ''[[Galácticos|Galáctico]]'', stating that "the best players must play for Real Madrid".<ref name="LFC1" /> Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier laughed off any apparent interest, saying, "They might be able to afford [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] but they cannot afford Michael Owen. For that kind of money they could only buy his left foot but he is not going anywhere. Michael is Liverpool through and through and he is staying with me."<ref name="LFC1" />

====2002–2004: Maintained performances and transfer rumours====
Owen continued with strong performances in the [[2002–03 Liverpool F.C. season|2002–03 season]] which saw Liverpool top the league table and remain unbeaten for several months.<ref name="top">{{Cite news |date=19 October 2002 |title=Diao drives fans to turn on Venables |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1477 |url-status=live |access-date=1 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071344/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1477 |archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref><ref name="contr">{{Cite news |date=29 April 2003 |title=Reds and Blues overlooked amid controversy |work=Daily Post |url=http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/page.cfm?objectid=12901185&method=full&siteid=50061&headline=Reds%20and%20Blues%20overlooked%20amid%20controversy |url-status=live |access-date=1 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054453/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/?objectid=12901185&method=full&siteid=50061&headline=Reds%20and%20Blues%20overlooked%20amid%20controversy |archive-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> However, a run of disastrous results starting from November and culminating in January saw the team bow out of the title race. Chelsea pipped Liverpool to the fourth and final Champions League spot on the final day of the season.<ref name="fourth">{{Cite news |date=19 October 2002 |title=Chelsea's triumph is poetic justice |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1674 |url-status=live |access-date=1 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071344/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1674 |archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref><ref name="jos">{{Cite news |date=4 February 2011 |title=The Joy of Six vs Chelsea |work=The Guardian |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/3171 |url-status=live |access-date=1 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020015940/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/3171 |archive-date=20 October 2013}}</ref> Owen was also controversially overlooked for the PFA Player of the Year award during the season.<ref name="contr" /> He had continued establishing personal records with Liverpool and had scored his 100th Premier League goal on 26 April against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]].<ref name="hun">{{Cite news |date=26 April 2003 |title=Owen hits century mark in rout |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1672 |url-status=live |access-date=1 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220060655/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1672 |archive-date=20 February 2014}}</ref> Success in the League Cup also meant that Liverpool had ended up with a trophy for a third consecutive season. Owen had scored in the [[2003 Football League Cup Final|League Cup Final]] against Manchester United to clinch the trophy for Liverpool.<ref name="LFC1" /> However, Liverpool's failure to qualify for the Champions League led to speculation about Owen's long-term future.<ref name="mov">{{Cite news |date=15 May 2003 |title=Liverpool move to keep Owen |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3029975.stm |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071343/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3029975.stm |archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref> Transfer speculation had continued linking him to Real Madrid and [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]].<ref name="espn2">{{Cite news |date=3 November 2003 |title=Game of the Week |publisher=ESPN |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=282581&root=england&cc=4716 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103032654/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=282581&root=england&cc=4716 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2013 |access-date=2 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="hit">{{Cite news |date=19 June 2003 |title=Beckham angers Barca |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/2999110.stm |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071343/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/2999110.stm |archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref> Owen was quoted as saying, "I really have to be playing in the Champions League and that is something [Liverpool] have to remedy."<ref name="thr">{{Cite news |date=13 November 2003 |title=Owen's contract threat casts shadow over Anfield |publisher=Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/owens-contract-threat-casts-shadow-over-anfield-196058.html |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054458/https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/owens-contract-threat-casts-shadow-over-anfield-25921984.html |archive-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> Owen would later refute the quote, stating, "Some of the words I never even said and the rest were taken completely out of context."<ref name="vow">{{Cite news |date=16 November 2003 |title=Owen makes Liverpool vow |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3274751.stm |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071343/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3274751.stm |archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref> Houllier moved to re-shape the Liverpool squad in 2003 to reassure Owen.<ref name="mov" /> He stated, "We want to win the title. This is our vision at Liverpool – and we want to win it with Michael in our team. Michael is a genuine world-class player. He has had a great season and I think he will be even better next season."<ref name="mov" /> [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] manager [[Sam Allardyce]] was quoted as saying, "Stop Michael Owen scoring and you are 50 per cent towards getting a result at Anfield", while Owen had admitted to being frustrated at the lack of support play from his teammates.<ref name="win">{{Cite news |date=1 September 2003 |title=Derby win can inspire home form – Owen |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |url=http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100newscontent_objectid=13357885_method=full_siteid=50061_headline=-Derby-win-can-inspire-home-form---Owen-name_page.html |access-date=2 September 2012}}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="sto">{{Cite news |date=9 March 2003 |title=Owen's rescue act adds weight to Allardyce theory |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2397632/Owens-rescue-act-adds-weight-to-Allardyce-theory.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2397632/Owens-rescue-act-adds-weight-to-Allardyce-theory.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

After a shaky start to the [[2003–04 Liverpool F.C. season|2003–04 season]],<ref name="cat">{{Cite news |date=13 November 2003 |title=Owen and Liverpool catching up rapidly |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1683 |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026111643/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1683 |archive-date=26 October 2012}}</ref> Liverpool emerged as title contenders once more, with Owen leading the charge.<ref name="cat" /> Owen, however, would suffer an ankle injury while playing against Arsenal on 3 October and consequently went through "three months of injury nightmare".<ref name="pra">{{Cite news |date=3 January 2003 |title=Owen is ready to answer Houllier's prayers at Yeovil |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2370564/Owen-is-ready-to-answer-Houlliers-prayers-at-Yeovil.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2370564/Owen-is-ready-to-answer-Houlliers-prayers-at-Yeovil.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Owen only played intermittently over the following months, suffering from niggling ankle and hamstring injuries, while Liverpool's season fell apart.<ref name="pra" /> After a goal drought lasting nine games and three months, Owen returned to fitness and scoring form with a goal against [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] on 11 February.<ref name="bro">{{Cite news |date=11 February 2004 |title=Gerrard and Owen show City door marked exit |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1704 |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519002440/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1704 |archive-date=19 May 2015}}</ref> Owen helped reignite Liverpool's hunt for fourth spot,<ref name="rek">{{Cite news |date=5 April 2004 |title=Owen rekindles Liverpool hope |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1710 |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071344/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1710 |archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref> scoring his 150th goal for Liverpool in the subsequent match against [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] on 15 February,<ref name="lfcvspor">{{Cite news |date=15 February 2004 |title=Liverpool 1 – 1 Portsmouth |publisher=lfchistory.net |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Game/2494 |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102224048/http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Game/2494 |archive-date=2 January 2011}}</ref> and although suffering from further injuries,<ref name="revi">{{Cite news |date=5 April 2004 |title=Owen double revives Liverpool |work=The Age |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/05/1081017061503.html |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730163710/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/05/1081017061503.html |archive-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> ultimately led Liverpool to the fourth and final Champions League spot.<ref name="sta">{{Cite news |date=8 May 2004 |title=Liverpool stake their claim |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1717 |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071344/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1717 |archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref><ref name="sig">{{Cite news |date=15 May 2004 |title=Robson and Houllier sign off with smile |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1716 |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071344/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1716 |archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref> Following Gérard Houllier's sacking as Liverpool manager, speculation about Owen's departure from the club began. During the first few Champions League games at the start of the [[2004–05 Liverpool F.C. season|2004–05 season]], Owen sat on the bench to avoid being [[cup-tied]] for the Champions League, something that would have meant he would be unable to play in European competitions for any other club that season. Since 1998, Owen had been Liverpool's top scorer every season until he left the club.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 August 2004 |title=Owen move speculation increases |publisher=RTÉ Sport |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2004/0811/owen.html |url-status=live |access-date=27 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040815072212/http://www.rte.ie/sport/2004/0811/owen.html |archive-date=15 August 2004}}</ref> Real Madrid signed him for a fee of £8&nbsp;million on 13 August 2004, with midfielder [[Antonio Núñez Tena|Antonio Núñez]] moving in the other direction as a make-weight.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2004 |title=Owen unveiled by Real |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3560542.stm |url-status=live |access-date=8 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827050444/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3560542.stm |archive-date=27 August 2007}}</ref>

===Real Madrid===
[[Image:Michaelowencropped.jpg|thumb|upright|Owen at a training camp with Real Madrid]]
Following their successful bid, on 14 August 2004, Real Madrid officially presented Owen with the number 11 shirt.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=CNN.com - Madrid unveil new signing Owen - Aug 14, 2004 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2004/SPORT/football/08/14/madrid.owen/ |access-date=19 June 2024 |website=CNN}}</ref> Owen joined the club during its ''Galácticos'' era, and played alongside the "big four" of preceding star signings, namely [[Luís Figo]], [[Zinedine Zidane]], [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]], and [[David Beckham]], as well as prominent team players from the pre-Galácticos era; [[Raúl (footballer)|Raúl]], [[Roberto Carlos]], and [[Iker Casillas]].<ref name=":0" /> He also became the second Liverpool player to join Real Madrid in five years after [[Steve McManaman]], who played for the club from 1999 to 2003.

Owen was regarded as having a slow start to his Madrid career, often being confined to the bench. Owen sometimes drew criticism from fans and the Spanish press for his lack of form. A successful return to action with the England squad in October 2004 seemed to revive his morale however, and in the first following match, he scored his first goal for the club, the winner in a 1–0 [[2004–05 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] victory over [[FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2004 |title=Soccer: A first for Owen as Real beats back Dynamo Kiev |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/10/19/news/foot.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013121515/http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/10/19/news/foot.php |archive-date=13 October 2007 |access-date=9 September 2007 |website=International Herald Tribune}}</ref> A few days later, he scored his first [[La Liga]] goal in a 1–0 victory over [[Valencia CF|Valencia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=James |date=18 November 2004 |title=The perfect gentleman |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/11/Exclusive_Butragueno.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20081202135156/http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/11/Exclusive_Butragueno.htm |archive-date=2 December 2008 |access-date=9 September 2007 |website=TheFA.com |publisher=The Football Association}}</ref> The scoring spree continued, as he found the back of the net in three of the next four matches to make it five goals in seven matches. On 10 April 2005, Owen scored Real Madrid's fourth goal in a 4–2 ''[[El Clásico]]'' win over Barcelona at the [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 April 2005 |title=Owen's golden touch helps Real keep title challenge alive |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/apr/11/match.sport17 |url-status=live |access-date=9 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918182057/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/apr/11/match.sport17 |archive-date=18 September 2014}}</ref> Owen ended the [[2004–05 Real Madrid C.F. season|2004–05 season]] with 13 goals in [[2004–05 La Liga|La Liga]], with the season's highest ratio of goals scored to number of minutes played. Following Madrid's signing of two high-profile Brazilian forwards, [[Robinho]] and [[Júlio Baptista]], in the summer of 2005, the speculation arose that Owen would return to the Premier League. During his time at Real Madrid, Owen scored 16 goals from 45 games, 26 of which were starts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Owen and Real Madrid |url=http://www.michaelowen.com.ar/realmadrid.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812162948/http://www.michaelowen.com.ar/realmadrid.htm |archive-date=12 August 2007 |access-date=15 August 2007 |website=michaelowen.com.ar}}</ref>

===Newcastle United===
====2005–2007: Club record transfer and injuries====
On 24 August 2005, [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] announced that they had agreed to a club record fee<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 June 2007 |title=Newcastle 2006 Annual Report |publisher=Newcastle United F.C. |url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/staticFiles/ea/3d/0,,10278~81386,00.pdf |url-status=dead |access-date=20 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002101544/http://www.nufc.co.uk/staticFiles/ea/3d/0%2C%2C10278~81386%2C00.pdf |archive-date=2 October 2012}}</ref> of £16.8&nbsp;million to obtain Owen, although they still had to negotiate with the player's advisers. Liverpool and local rivals Everton entered the fray, but were unwilling to match Madrid's asking price. As the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]] was less than a year away, Owen wanted to get more playing time to secure his position as the first-choice striker in the [[England national football team|England squad]] and joined Newcastle amid rumours that he had inserted an escape clause valued at £12&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 August 2005 |title=Owen signs |url=http://www.nufc.com/html/owen-signs.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808092353/http://www.nufc.com/html/owen-signs.html |archive-date=8 August 2007 |access-date=15 August 2007 |publisher=nufc.com}}</ref> On 31 August 2005, Owen signed a four-year contract to play for Newcastle, despite initial press speculation that he would rather have returned to Liverpool.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 August 2005 |title=Newcastle prepare to unveil Owen |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/4196760.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519065042/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/4196760.stm |archive-date=19 May 2006}}</ref> Some 20,000 fans were present at Newcastle's home ground of [[St James' Park]] for Owen's official unveiling as a Newcastle player.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitten |first=Nick |date=1 September 2005 |title=He's the man |work=[[Shields Gazette]] |url=http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/39HE-IS-THE-MAN39.1132806.jp |url-status=dead |access-date=24 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522124341/http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/39HE-IS-THE-MAN39.1132806.jp |archive-date=22 May 2009 |quote=The Metro from South Shields to Newcastle was packed to the rafters, and it seemed every second person was wearing a Newcastle shirt with Owen's name on the back.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=31 August 2005 |title=Owen completes move to Newcastle |publisher=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/4200808.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810144910/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/4200808.stm |archive-date=10 August 2018}}</ref> Several days after signing, he suffered a thigh-injury in pre-season, which ruled him out for the start of the [[2005–06 Newcastle United F.C. season|2005–06 season]]. He scored his first goal for the club on his second appearance, the second goal in a 3–0 away win at [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] on 18 September, Newcastle's first win of the season. Owen scored his first [[Hat-trick#Association football|hat-trick]] for Newcastle in the 4–2 away win over West Ham United on 17 December.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 December 2005 |title=West Ham 2–4 Newcastle |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4516346.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051221084408/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4516346.stm |archive-date=21 December 2005}}</ref> It was also a "perfect [[Hat-trick|hat trick]]", with one goal scored with each of his left foot, right foot and head.

On 31 December 2005, Owen broke a [[Metatarsus|metatarsal]] bone in his foot in a match against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]. He underwent surgery to place a pin in the bone, to help speed the healing process. He was expected to be out of action until late March,<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 January 2006 |title=Owen denies problem at Newcastle |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/4623092.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054451/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/4623092.stm |archive-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> but the healing process did not go as hoped and on 24 March he underwent a second, minor operation. Owen then stated that he should be fit for the final few weeks of the season with Newcastle.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 March 2006 |title=Owen: I'll be 100% fit for World Cup |work=The Guardian |location=UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/mar/27/newsstory.sport5 |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106134757/http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1740559,00.html?gusrc=rss |archive-date=6 January 2008}}</ref> His return to action finally came against [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] on 29 April when he came off the substitutes' bench in the 62nd minute. After the match, Owen stated that he was "not 100% happy" with his foot.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Austin |first=Simon |date=4 April 2006 |title=Grip confident about Owen fitness |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4874772.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712125913/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4874772.stm |archive-date=12 July 2007}}</ref> He underwent a further X-ray and made himself unavailable for Newcastle's final game of the season. A damaged [[anterior cruciate ligament]] (ACL) in his right knee, sustained in the first minute of the group match against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]] at the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], kept Owen out of regular football for nearly a year, until April 2007. The seriousness of Owen's injury at the World Cup inflamed the so-called "club-versus-country" row in England, centring on the liability of the world governing body [[FIFA]] and [[The Football Association]] (FA) for the cost of injuries to players incurred while on international duty.<ref name="Journal1Mar2007" /> Newcastle were aggrieved at the length of time Owen would now be out of action in forthcoming Premier League and Cup competitions as a result of the World Cup injury, particularly as he had been out for the half-season prior to the World Cup. Under the existing insurance arrangements between club and country, FIFA and the FA had been paying £50,000 of Owen's £110,000 weekly wages since he suffered the injury, totalling approximately £2&nbsp;million for the time he was out of action.<ref name="Guardian26Jun07" /> By September 2006, Newcastle were threatening to sue the FA for further compensation, for a reported figure of £20&nbsp;million.<ref name="std200606">{{Cite web |date=17 September 2006 |title=Newcastle threaten to sue over striker's World Cup injury |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/newcastle-threaten-to-sue-over-strikers-world-cup-injury-7193129.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054451/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/newcastle-threaten-to-sue-over-striker-s-world-cup-injury-7193129.html |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=20 July 2021 |website=Evening Standard}}</ref> The Owen case was a high-profile follow-up to an already ongoing legal claim for compensation from FIFA over an injury incurred by [[Abdelmajid Oulmers]] on international duty.<ref name="Journal1Mar2007" /> Newcastle's compensation claim included the £10&nbsp;million cost of buying Owen's replacement, [[Obafemi Martins]], £6.2&nbsp;million towards Owen's salary costs while injured, the possibility of long-term damage to Owen's fitness and ability, the loss of league position and cup competition progress, [[depreciation]] of Owen's four-year contract, and the cost of medical treatment for Owen.<ref name="Guardian26Jun07" /><ref name="BBC28Feb07" /> In February 2007, FIFA made Newcastle a "final offer" of £1&nbsp;million.<ref name="BBC28Feb07">{{Cite news |date=28 February 2007 |title=FIFA stands firm on Owen pay-out |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6405237.stm |url-status=live |access-date=3 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007123104/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6405237.stm |archive-date=7 October 2007}}</ref> By April 2007, Newcastle were threatening to take out an injunction to stop the FA from picking Owen for England games.<ref name="RTÉ16Apr07">{{Cite news |date=16 April 2007 |title=Toon 'warranted' says Macdonald |publisher=[[RTÉ Sport]] |url=http://m.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0416/owenm.html |url-status=dead |access-date=3 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721131248/http://m.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0416/owenm.html |archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> The club finally reached a compromise settlement figure with FIFA and the FA; FIFA indicated that the settlement was between £6&nbsp;million and £7&nbsp;million. The club, stating that Owen's wages had "now been paid in full", stated the overall compensation achieved totalled £10&nbsp;million.<ref name="Guardian26Jun07">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Michael |date=26 June 2007 |title=Newcastle claim victory over £10m Owen pay-out |work=The Guardian |location=UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/jun/26/newsstory.sport8 |url-status=live |access-date=3 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005160738/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/jun/26/newsstory.sport8 |archive-date=5 October 2013}}</ref> Resulting from the Owen compensation claim, the FA doubled their future insurance coverage of England players to £100,000, and FIFA introduced a compensation fund for injuries sustained at World Cups.<ref name="Journal1Mar2007">{{Cite news |date=1 March 2007 |title=FIFA are adding insult to injury |work=[[The Journal (Newcastle upon Tyne newspaper)|The Journal]] |url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2007/03/01/fifa-are-adding-insult-to-injury-61634-18690847/ |url-status=dead |access-date=3 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901022309/http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2007/03/01/fifa-are-adding-insult-to-injury-61634-18690847/ |archive-date=1 September 2010}}</ref>

[[Image:Michaelowen training newcastle.JPG|thumb|upright=1.13|Owen training with Newcastle in 2007]]
Owen began light training on 12 February 2007, when pictures on the club's official website highlighted Owen running and carrying out minor exercises.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hope |first=Craig |title=Michael Owen Up And Running |publisher=Newcastle United.co.uk |url=http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~980144,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309162825/http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10278~980144%2C00.html |archive-date=9 March 2007}}</ref> He made his comeback from injury on 10 April 2007 in a 4–1 behind-closed-doors friendly against [[Gretna F.C.|Gretna]], scoring after ten minutes and then setting up fellow striker [[Shola Ameobi]] before coming off an hour later.<ref name="Owen scores on return from injury">{{Cite news |date=11 April 2007 |title=Owen scores on return from injury |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6543879.stm |url-status=live |access-date=11 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901233200/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6543879.stm |archive-date=1 September 2007}}</ref> Owen then started his first game for Newcastle in over a year, a 1–0 loss against [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] on 30 April 2007. He played the full 90 minutes, having a goal disallowed for [[Offside (association football)|offside]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Ian |date=30 April 2007 |title=Reading 1–0 Newcastle |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6578949.stm |url-status=live |access-date=6 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515112729/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6578949.stm |archive-date=15 May 2007}}</ref>
Owen was stretchered off an hour into Newcastle's game with [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] on 13 May 2007, suffering concussion after colliding with teammate [[Matty Pattison]].<ref name="Watford 1-1 Newcastle">{{Cite news |last=Warren |first=Dan |date=13 May 2007 |title=Watford 1–1 Newcastle |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6627867.stm |url-status=live |access-date=13 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817072359/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6627867.stm |archive-date=17 August 2007}}</ref> On 9 May 2007, Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd reacted angrily to reports that Owen could move on to another club at the end of the [[2006–07 Newcastle United F.C. season|2006–07 season]] due to a release clause in his contract. A report in ''[[The Times]]'' newspaper suggested Owen could be available for less than £10&nbsp;million and could be a target for the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal. Despite these reports, Shepherd warned Owen "to show some loyalty" and warned him that "none of the big four clubs want him".<ref name="Shepherd tells Owen to stay loyal">{{Cite news |date=9 May 2007 |title=Shepherd tells Owen to stay loyal |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6641411.stm |url-status=live |access-date=9 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514114722/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6641411.stm |archive-date=14 May 2007}}</ref> In a video posted on YouTube, however, a group of Liverpool fans asked Shepherd if they could re-sign Owen, he responded by saying that he would "carry Owen back to Liverpool" himself.<ref name="sixosix">{{Cite news |last=Charles |first=Chris |date=11 May 2007 |title=Review of the week |publisher=BBC 606 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A22592054 |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519171257/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A22592054 |archive-date=19 May 2007}}</ref> Shepherd also stated his dislike of Owen's agent but praised Owen as a "good lad".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomson |first=Daniel |date=12 May 2007 |title=Shepherd's Owen joke makes him a star |work=The Journal |url=http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/journallive/thejournal/tm_headline=shepherd-s-owen-joke-makes-him-a-star&method=full&objectid=19092147&siteid=50081-name_page.html |url-status=dead |access-date=12 May 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709173508/http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/journallive/thejournal/tm_headline=shepherd-s-owen-joke-makes-him-a-star&method=full&objectid=19092147&siteid=50081-name_page.html |archive-date=9 July 2012}}</ref> This led many to believe that Owen would exercise his right to leave if the £9&nbsp;million valuation was matched.<ref name=sixosix/> On 10 June 2007, Owen's new manager at Newcastle, Sam Allardyce, confirmed the existence of the release clause in Owen's contract and said he feared that the club would be powerless to prevent Owen from leaving.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 June 2007 |title=Allardyce reveals Owen exit fears |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6738687.stm |url-status=live |access-date=10 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702111457/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6738687.stm |archive-date=2 July 2007}}</ref> On 12 July 2007, however, Owen committed his immediate future to Newcastle, stating, "I believe that these can be good times to be at Newcastle, which is why I am more than happy to be here."<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 July 2007 |title=Owen rejects Newcastle exit talk |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6294404.stm |url-status=live |access-date=13 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817171328/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6294404.stm |archive-date=17 August 2007}}</ref>

====2007–2009: Declined form and injuries====
On 17 July 2007, he scored for Newcastle in a pre-season friendly against [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 July 2007 |title=Owen scores in Allardyce opener |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6903778.stm |url-status=live |access-date=20 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903120249/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6903778.stm |archive-date=3 September 2007}}</ref> Several days later, Owen picked up a thigh injury in training.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2007 |title=Owen picks up minor thigh injury |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6908908.stm |url-status=live |access-date=20 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901183828/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6908908.stm |archive-date=1 September 2007}}</ref> Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce said that Owen was likely to miss the start of the forthcoming Premier League season due to the injury which "doesn't look as encouraging as we first thought".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Owen on sidelines for big kick-off |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7090656 |access-date=15 August 2007}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Owen made his comeback from injury in a club friendly on 13 August 2007 and declared himself available for Newcastle's next match, against [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], as well as England's forthcoming international matches.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2007 |title=Owen gives England fitness boost |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6944590.stm |url-status=live |access-date=15 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054451/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6944590.stm |archive-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> On 29 August 2007, Owen scored his first competitive goal for Newcastle since December 2005 when he scored in the [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] against [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 August 2007 |title=Newcastle 2–0 Barnsley |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6963530.stm |url-status=live |access-date=1 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617122215/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6963530.stm |archive-date=17 June 2022}}</ref> Three days later, he scored in the league with a late winner against [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fletcher |first=Paul |date=1 September 2007 |title=Newcastle 1–0 Wigan |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6963710.stm |url-status=live |access-date=1 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014044130/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6963710.stm |archive-date=14 October 2007}}</ref> In late September 2007, after an encouraging start to the season playing for both Newcastle and England, it was reported that he would urgently require an operation for a double [[hernia]] and would likely be out of action for at least a month.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Louise |date=25 September 2007 |title=England woe as Owen faces month out |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/sep/25/newsstory.sport13 |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123135107/http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2176655,00.html |archive-date=23 November 2007}}</ref> In his first match back from the hernia operation, he scored a late goal coming off the substitutes bench to clinch victory for Newcastle over Everton.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 October 2007 |title=Newcastle 3–2 Everton |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7019628.stm |url-status=live |access-date=27 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011005852/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7019628.stm |archive-date=11 October 2007}}</ref> In November 2007, Owen suffered a thigh strain while on international duty, ruling him out for six weeks. This reignited the "club or country" row, with then Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce voicing his disappointment that Owen was risked in a low-key friendly game against [[Austria national football team|Austria]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hetherington |first=Clive |date=18 November 2007 |title=Michael Owen injury infuriates Sam Allardyce |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/england/2326027/Michael-Owen-injury-infuriates-Sam-Allardyce.html |url-status=dead |access-date=5 April 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120918062523/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/england/2326027/Michael-Owen-injury-infuriates-Sam-Allardyce.html |archive-date=18 September 2012}}</ref> After over three months without a goal, Owen scored the first goal of the second [[Kevin Keegan]] era in a 4–1 [[FA Cup 2007–08#Third round proper|FA Cup third round]] replay win over [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] on 16 January 2008, although Keegan was only a spectator in the stands for this game. Owen was awarded the captaincy by Keegan on 19 January 2008. He scored his first league goal of 2008 on 3 February. Owen's goal in the 2–0 defeat of [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] on 22 March 2008, which marked Newcastle's first win under Keegan's second spell as manager, also marked the first time in his Newcastle career that Owen had scored more goals for Newcastle than against them.<ref>BBC Television, [[Match of the Day]], 22 March 2008</ref> By 5 April 2008, after his and the team's early season poor form, Owen had scored six goals in the previous six matches, with Newcastle registering four wins and two draws, lifting Newcastle into mid-table after earlier relegation fears. In the final game of the season, Owen scored in a 3–1 loss at Everton, finishing with 11 goals in total, putting him in equal 13th position for Premier League goals for the 2007–08 season.

Owen missed all of the pre-season matches and training of the [[2008–09 Newcastle United F.C. season|2008–09 season]] due to a bout of [[mumps]], which also kept him out of the international friendlies with the [[United States men's national soccer team|USA]] and [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad and Tobago]] in May 2008. He also suffered a calf strain during the summer months which kept him out of the opening game of the season against Manchester United at [[Old Trafford]], a game which Newcastle drew 1–1. He made his return in the second game of the season against Bolton Wanderers on 23 August 2008, coming on in the 53rd minute for the injured Obafemi Martins. He scored the winning header in the 71st minute, with the game finishing 1–0. Three days later, he was named on the bench in a [[2008–09 Football League Cup|League Cup]] match away to [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]], he came on as a substitute and scored the winner in extra time in a 2–3 victory. In the 2008–09 season, he featured more consistently than in prior seasons, scoring four goals in twelve league appearances. Under the transfer rules, with the 2008–09 season being the final year of his contract with Newcastle, Owen would have been allowed to sign a pre-contract agreement with other clubs during January. On 22 December 2008, Owen rejected a new contract offer from Newcastle, but stated that he would not be seeking a move in the January transfer window and instead intended to postpone talks over his contract situation until the end of the season.<ref name="Sky19528">{{Cite news |date=22 December 2008 |title=Owen delays decision |publisher=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4684540,00.html |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309014602/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4684540,00.html |archive-date=9 March 2009}}</ref><ref name="BBC8113312">{{Cite news |date=23 June 2009 |title=Hull 'serious' about bid for Owen |publisher=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/8113312.stm |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922220432/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/8113312.stm |archive-date=22 September 2021}}</ref> With speculation over his future continuing in the second half of the season, Owen received "substantial damages" in June in the High Court in London and a public apology following a story on 15 May in the ''[[Daily Express]]'' alleging that due to a lack of interest from Premier League clubs, Owen's career was effectively finished and he intended to retire.<ref name="Guardian3Jun09">{{Cite news |date=3 June 2009 |title=Michael Owen wins damages from Daily Express over 'incredulous allegations' |work=The Guardian |location=UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jun/03/michael-owen-daily-express-damages |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005141904/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jun/03/michael-owen-daily-express-damages |archive-date=5 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="Express102702">{{Cite web |date=22 May 2009 |title=Michael Owen – An Apology |url=http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/102702/Michael-Owen-An-Apology |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926172723/http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/102702/Michael-Owen-An-Apology |archive-date=26 September 2012 |access-date=25 June 2009 |website=Daily Express |location=UK}}</ref>

After a disastrous season in general for the club, which culminated in Owen's former Newcastle and England teammate [[Alan Shearer]] being brought in as a temporary manager for the final eight games of the season. Michael's alleged refusal to play in this run including a crucial home against Fulham (<ref>{{Cite news |last=Waugh |first=Chris |title=Comment: Reason for Shearer and Owen's decade-long dispute explains why one is loved and the other loathed on Tyneside |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1180682/2019/09/03/reason-for-shearer-and-owens-decade-long-dispute-explains-why-one-is-loved-and-the-other-loathed-on-tyneside/ |access-date=19 June 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=3 September 2019 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> proved costly, as on the final day of the season on 24 May 2009, Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League for the first time in 15 years. On 14 June, it was reported that Owen's management company Wasserman Media Group had sent out a 34-page brochure advertising Owen to several potential clubs.<ref name="Guardian14Jun09">{{Cite news |date=14 June 2009 |title=Agents offer Michael Owen to clubs with help of 34-page brochure |work=The Guardian |location=UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jun/14/michael-owen-newcastle-united-sales-brochure |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005050925/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jun/14/michael-owen-newcastle-united-sales-brochure |archive-date=5 October 2013}}</ref> On 22 June, Owen confirmed he would not be re-signing for Newcastle, in preference for a move to a Premier League club, or another top-flight foreign club.<ref name="BBC8113312" /> It was reported that Owen would not begin negotiations with any other club until after 30 June when, on expiry of his contract, he would become eligible for a [[Free transfer (football)|free transfer]].<ref name="BBC8113312" /> In September 2019, Owen stated that he regretted his move to Newcastle and that he had hoped for a return to Liverpool.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 September 2019 |title=Michael Owen: Real Madrid to Newcastle move the only one I regret |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49561603 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903112028/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49561603 |archive-date=3 September 2019 |access-date=3 September 2019 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref>

===Manchester United===

====2009–2010: Debut season====
[[File:Michael Owen 2009.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Owen ''(wearing No.7)'' at his Manchester United début, against [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] on 16 August 2009.]]
On 3 July 2009, it was announced that Owen had signed a two-year deal with Manchester United, [[Liverpool F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry|arch rivals]] of Liverpool.<ref name="Owen completes switch to Man Utd">{{Cite news |date=3 July 2009 |title=Owen completes switch to Man Utd |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8131801.stm |url-status=live |access-date=3 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304150817/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8131801.stm |archive-date=4 March 2012}}</ref> A surprise move, Owen said that the approach from manager [[Alex Ferguson]] was "out of the blue". He signed a pay-as-you-play deal<ref name="Owen completes switch to Man Utd" /> and was handed the number 7 shirt vacated by the departure of [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] to Real Madrid. The shirt had previously been worn by many of United's other illustrious players over the years, including [[Johnny Berry]], [[George Best]], [[Steve Coppell]], [[Bryan Robson]], [[Eric Cantona]] and David Beckham.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coppack |first=Nick |date=13 July 2009 |title=Owen: Injuries aren't an issue |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2009/Jul/Owen-Injuries-arent-an-issue.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=13 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714030611/http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2009/Jul/Owen-Injuries-arent-an-issue.aspx |archive-date=14 July 2011}}</ref>

Owen scored his first goal for United on his debut, scoring an 84th-minute winner after coming on as a substitute in a pre-season friendly against a Malaysian XI;<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 July 2009 |title=Owen hits winner on Man Utd debut |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8157129.stm |url-status=live |access-date=18 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718101238/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8157129.stm |archive-date=18 July 2009}}</ref> he followed this up by scoring three more goals in United's pre-season games.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thompson |first=Gemma |date=20 July 2009 |title=Malaysia XI 0 United 2 |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2009/Jul/Malaysia-XI-0-United-2.aspx |url-status=dead |access-date=20 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714030812/http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2009/Jul/Malaysia-XI-0-United-2.aspx |archive-date=14 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bostock |first=Adam |date=26 July 2009 |title=Greentown 2 United 8 |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2009/Jul/Greentown-2-United-8.aspx |url-status=dead |access-date=26 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714030921/http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2009/Jul/Greentown-2-United-8.aspx |archive-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> Owen made his league debut for United when he came on as a substitute against Birmingham City on 16 August in a 1–0 win,<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 August 2010 |title=Man Utd 1–0 Birmingham |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8197957.stm |url-status=live |access-date=16 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806030531/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8197957.stm |archive-date=6 August 2017}}</ref> and scored his first competitive goal in a Manchester United shirt against Wigan Athletic on 22 August in a 5–0 away win.<ref name="Wigan 0-5 Man Utd">{{Cite news |date=22 August 2009 |title=Wigan 0–5 Man Utd |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8209298.stm |url-status=live |access-date=22 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905063539/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8209298.stm |archive-date=5 September 2017}}</ref> On 20 September, Owen scored his first goal at Old Trafford, in the sixth minute of stoppage time against local rivals Manchester City to give United a [[Manchester United F.C. 4–3 Manchester City F.C. (2009)|4–3]] [[Manchester derby|derby]] win. This meant that Owen had now scored in his third derby, after scoring in the [[Merseyside derby]], and the [[Tyne–Wear derby]] in previous years.<ref name="Man Utd 4-3 Man City">{{Cite news |last=McNulty |first=Phil |date=21 September 2009 |title=Man Utd 4–3 Man City |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8256750.stm |url-status=live |access-date=21 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112204939/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8256750.stm |archive-date=12 January 2016}}</ref> Owen struggled to recall the moments immediately after the goal, and said that it ranked as one of his most important.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dickinson |first=Matt |date=30 September 2009 |title=Michael Owen: I struggle to recall the goal against Manchester City |work=The Times |location=UK |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article6854593.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=30 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054519/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/ |archive-date=15 August 2022}}</ref>

On 27 October, Owen scored a goal in the 2–0 away win against Barnsley to qualify United past the fourth round of the League Cup. On 3 November, Owen scored his first Champions League goal for Manchester United, as he grabbed United's first in the 3–3 draw against [[PFC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=McNulty |first=Phil |date=3 November 2009 |title=Man Utd 3–3 CSKA Moscow |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8337865.stm |url-status=live |access-date=3 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816112400/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8337865.stm |archive-date=16 August 2017}}</ref> Owen's seemingly slim chances of earning a place in [[Fabio Capello]]'s England squad for the 2010 World Cup finals in 2010 received a boost when on 8 December 2009, Owen scored his first hat-trick for Manchester United in a 3–1 away win against [[VfL Wolfsburg]] in the [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], his first hat-trick since 2005.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ashenden |first=Mark |date=8 November 2009 |title=Wolfsburg 1–3 Man Utd |work=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8399065.stm |url-status=live |access-date=8 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824105932/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8399065.stm |archive-date=24 August 2017}}</ref> On 28 February 2010, Owen scored United's first goal in their 2–1 victory over Aston Villa in the [[2010 Football League Cup Final|2010 League Cup final]], but had to be substituted after pulling up on 42 minutes. Originally thought to be a minor injury, on 5 March it was announced Owen required surgery on his hamstring, ruling him out for the rest of the season.<ref name="BBC6Mar2010RuledOutRestOfSeason">{{Cite news |date=5 March 2010 |title=Michael Owen ruled out for rest of season |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8551257.stm |url-status=live |access-date=6 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803222746/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8551257.stm |archive-date=3 August 2020}}</ref>

====2010–2011: Premier League title====
[[File:Michael Owen Johnny Heitinga cropped.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.5|Owen ''(right)'' playing for Manchester United, with Everton's [[John Heitinga]].]]
Owen scored his first goal for United back from injury in a 7–1 pre-season victory against a [[League of Ireland|League of Ireland XI]] on 4 August 2010 at the newly built [[Aviva Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coppack |first=Nick |date=4 August 2010 |title=Ireland XI 1 United 7 |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2010/Aug/Airtricity-League-XI-1-United-7.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=4 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709114238/http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2010/Aug/Airtricity-League-XI-1-United-7.aspx |archive-date=9 July 2012}}</ref> On 22 September 2010, Owen scored twice during a 5–2 away win over [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] in the third round of the [[Football League Cup|League Cup]], his first goals of the season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ashenden |first=Mark |date=22 September 2010 |title=Scunthorpe 2–5 Man Utd |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/9010117.stm |url-status=live |access-date=22 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054452/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9010117.stm |archive-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> Four days later, Owen scored his first league goal of the season, United's second equaliser with his first touch in a 2–2 away draw against Bolton Wanderers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 September 2010 |title=Bolton 2–2 Man Utd |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9023209.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208081440/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9023209.stm |archive-date=8 February 2011}}</ref> Owen's first goal of 2011 came in United's 2–1 [[2010–11 FA Cup|FA Cup]] victory over [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] at [[St Mary's Stadium]] on 29 January.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Ian |date=28 January 2011 |title=Southampton 1–2 Man Utd |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/9379065.stm |url-status=live |access-date=28 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819030710/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9379065.stm |archive-date=19 August 2017}}</ref> On 25 February, United manager Alex Ferguson said that Owen was a key part of his squad for the rest of the season. However, he suffered a groin injury and missed his team's next four games. His return match was on 19 March when he returned to the bench for United's game against Bolton.

By the time of United's penultimate game of the season, he had reached the number of league appearances required for a title winner's medal – his first in 15 seasons as a professional.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smyth |first=Rob |date=14 May 2011 |title=Blackburn v Manchester United – as it happened |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/14/blackburn-manchester-united-live |url-status=live |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228153128/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/14/blackburn-manchester-united-live |archive-date=28 February 2014}}</ref> The game, on 14 May 2011, only required United to draw with Blackburn Rovers at [[Ewood Park]] to win the title, and a 1–1 draw secured it for them. Owen was an unused substitute in the game.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nurse |first=Howard |date=14 May 2011 |title=Blackburn 1–1 Man Utd |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9483868.stm |url-status=live |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319134407/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9483868.stm |archive-date=19 March 2012}}</ref> Owen scored United's final goal in their last league game of the season, at home to [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], in which the ''Red Devils'' won 4–2.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McNulty |first=Phil |date=22 May 2011 |title=Man Utd 4–2 Blackpool |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13444164 |url-status=live |access-date=20 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054459/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/13444164 |archive-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> Owen was an unused substitute in United's [[2011 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League final]] defeat to Barcelona, marking the end of his season. He signed a one-year extension to his contract on 1 June 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nurse |first=Howard |date=1 June 2011 |title=Michael Owen signs new Manchester United deal |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8549601/Michael-Owen-signs-new-Manchester-United-deal.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8549601/Michael-Owen-signs-new-Manchester-United-deal.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

====2011–2012: Limited appearances====
[[File:Michael Owen vs Everton 2009.jpg|thumb|Owen defended by [[Lucas Neill]] of Everton]]
Owen started his first game of the season in the third round of the League Cup against Leeds United. He scored two goals in the first half, helping United to progress to the fourth round with a 3–0 win. His first goal came after he advanced to the box and scuffed a shot into the corner of the net. The second goal came on the half-hour mark, when he met [[Mame Biram Diouf]]'s cross with instant control, before firing a right foot shot into the top.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 September 2011 |title=Leeds 0–3 Man Utd |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14893498 |url-status=live |access-date=21 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054457/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/14893498 |archive-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> Owen started his second game of the season in the fourth round of the League Cup, against [[Football League Two|League Two]] club [[Aldershot Town F.C.|Aldershot Town]]. He scored the second goal of the 3–0 win. [[Dimitar Berbatov]] completed a run down the right flank before pulling the ball back into the box, with Owen scoring past [[Ross Worner]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Winter |first=Henry |date=26 October 2011 |title=Manchester United's derby pain eased as Dimitar Berbatov takes advantage of rare starting chance |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8848877/Manchester-Uniteds-derby-pain-eased-as-Dimitar-Berbatov-takes-advantage-of-rare-starting-chance.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 October 2011 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8848877/Manchester-Uniteds-derby-pain-eased-as-Dimitar-Berbatov-takes-advantage-of-rare-starting-chance.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Owen started in United's home [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League group stage|group stage]] match against [[FC Oțelul Galați|Oțelul Galați]] on 2 November, however he was substituted early in the first half when he pulled up with a thigh injury; this was his last appearance for the team. In February 2012, Owen started light training with the Manchester United squad. From April 2012, Owen started full training but was not yet ready for first team games. On 13 May 2012, Owen was named as a substitute against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] in United's final fixture, but he was not brought on. On 17 May 2012, Owen announced on [[Twitter]] that Manchester United would not be offering him a new deal, ending his three-year association with the club.

===Stoke City===
[[File:Owen4.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Owen playing for Stoke City in a Premier League match on 22 September 2012 against Chelsea]]
On 4 September 2012, Owen joined Stoke City on a one-year contract.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 September 2012 |title=Michael Owen Signs! |publisher=Stoke City F.C. |url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/owen-signs-352543.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907045037/http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/owen-signs-352543.aspx |archive-date=7 September 2012}}</ref> He was handed the number 10 shirt from the departed [[Ricardo Fuller]] and made his debut in a 1–1 draw against Manchester City on 15 September.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Stoke 1–1 Man City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19527920 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915233044/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19527920 |archive-date=15 September 2012 |access-date=16 September 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> The start to his time at Stoke was hampered by a hamstring injury.<ref>{{Cite web |title=No trial by TV for Michael Owen, says Stoke City boss Tony Pulis |url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-17402597-detail/story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054453/https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/ |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=23 November 2012 |website=The Sentinel}}</ref> Owen scored his first and only goal for Stoke on 19 January 2013 in a 3–1 defeat at [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]], his first goal since 25 October 2011. In doing so, he became only the seventh player to reach 150 Premier League goals.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Swansea 3–1 Stoke |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20996739 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119221340/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20996739 |archive-date=19 January 2013 |access-date=19 January 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

On 19 March 2013, Owen announced that he would retire from playing at the end of the [[2012–13 Stoke City F.C. season|2012–13 season]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Michael Owen: Footballer to retire at end of season |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21839361 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319110607/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21839361 |archive-date=19 March 2013 |access-date=19 March 2013 }}</ref> He was restricted to just eight Premier League appearances for Stoke, all coming from the substitutes' bench, including in his final appearance on 19 May 2013 against Southampton, where he received a standing ovation from both sets of supporters.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Southampton 1–1 Stoke |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22499096 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609211849/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22499096 |archive-date=9 June 2013 |access-date=19 May 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Michael Owen grateful for Stoke City ovation as he ends career |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22591865 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613185736/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22591865 |archive-date=13 June 2013 |access-date=19 May 2013 }}</ref>

Owen had indicated that he would like to become involved with [[Chester F.C.|Chester]] in some capacity when he retires, as it was his local team growing up and his father played for the old [[Chester City F.C.|Chester]] side which went out of business in March 2010 and was reformed at a lower level.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Owen: My town |url=https://www.fifa.com/newscentre/videos/player.html#ch=fbm&id=517519 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220172243/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/videos/player.html#ch=fbm&id=517519 |archive-date=20 February 2009 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association}}</ref>

==International career==

{{Quote box|width=30%|align=right
|quote="He is in the top four of our greatest finishers, along with Jimmy Greaves, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer. Some might say he is at the top of that list. He was a baby-faced assassin. His finishing was amazing for a young man."
|source=Glenn Hoddle<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{Cite news |date=19 March 2013 |title=Michael Owen: Gary Lineker praises former England striker |work=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21846070 |url-status=live |access-date=11 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105031942/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21846070 |archive-date=5 January 2016}}</ref>
|}}
Owen was capped 89 times for [[England national football team|England]] and scored 40 goals. He is sixth in [[England national football team#Top goalscorers|the list of all-time top scorers for the England team]], behind [[Harry Kane]] (61), [[Wayne Rooney]] (53), [[Bobby Charlton]] (49), [[Gary Lineker]] (48) and [[Jimmy Greaves]] (44). His 89 [[Caps (sport)|caps]] also place him as England's eleventh [[England national football team#Most capped players|most capped player]].

Owen played for England at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]], [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]] and [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]] [[FIFA World Cup]]s and the [[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]] and [[UEFA Euro 2004|2004]] [[UEFA European Championships]]. He scored goals in all but one of these tournaments, making him the only player ever to have scored in four major tournaments for England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=England's World Cup Final Tournament Player Record Performances |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/CmpWC/CmpWCPlyrsPerfRecs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017125000/http://englandfootballonline.com/CmpWC/CmpWCPlyrsPerfRecs.html |archive-date=17 October 2007 |access-date=8 November 2007 |website=englandfootballonline.com}}</ref>

===Emergence===
Owen had a highly successful record at Youth level, playing for the [[England national under-20 football team|England under-20]] team at the [[1997 FIFA World Youth Championship]] and scoring three goals in four games. He played once for the [[England national under-21 football team|England under-21]] team, scoring in a win over [[Greece national under-21 football team|Greece]] at [[Carrow Road]].

He made his debut for the England senior team in a 2–0 friendly loss to [[Chile national football team|Chile]] on 11 February 1998. This made Owen the youngest player to represent England in the 20th century at 18 years and 59 days of age.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael James Owen – Biography |url=http://www.footballdatabase.com/index.php?page=player&Id=144&pn=Michael_James_Owen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824122809/http://www.footballdatabase.com/index.php?page=player&Id=144&pn=Michael_James_Owen |archive-date=24 August 2007 |access-date=25 August 2007 |publisher=footballdatabase.com}}</ref>

Owen's youthful enthusiasm, pace and talent made him a popular player across the country,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Owen |url=http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Profiles/0,,10278~5829,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812101127/http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Profiles/0%2C%2C10278~5829%2C00.html |archive-date=12 August 2007 |access-date=25 August 2007 |website=Newcastle United}}</ref> and many fans were keen for him to be selected for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]] in France. In a pre-World Cup friendly against [[Morocco national football team|Morocco]], Owen scored his first goal for England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Owen's Life |url=http://www.biogs.com/famous/owenmichael.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824204915/http://www.biogs.com/famous/owenmichael.html |archive-date=24 August 2007 |access-date=25 August 2007 |publisher=biogs.com}}</ref> The goal also made him the youngest ever player to have scored for England,<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 May 1998 |title=Morocco 0–1 England |url=http://www.englandfc.com/reports/report_mor_v_eng_tourn98.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070816032548/http://www.englandfc.com/reports/report_mor_v_eng_tourn98.html |archive-date=16 August 2007 |access-date=25 August 2007 |publisher=Englandfc.com}}</ref> until his record was surpassed by Wayne Rooney in 2003.

===1998 World Cup===
{{Quote box
| quote = "For me [Michael Owen was] the only good thing to come out of the '98 World Cup. Speed, cunning, balls." — [[Diego Maradona]] on Owen's performance in the 1998 World Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title= Michael Owen the fully formed wonderkid |url= https://www.theleft-sidedproblem.com/articles/is-michael-owen-the-best-teenage-footballer-of-the-modern-age |website=The Left-Sided Problem |date= 18 June 2022 |access-date= 16 January 2023 }}</ref>
| width = 20%
| align = left
| qalign = center
}}
Owen was selected for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup squads#England|World Cup squad]] by manager [[Glenn Hoddle]], becoming England's youngest ever player at a World Cup when he came on as a substitute in the opening match against [[Tunisia national football team|Tunisia]]. In the following match, a 2–1 defeat to [[Romania national football team|Romania]], Owen again appeared as a [[Substitute (association football)|substitute]]. His equalising goal made him England's youngest ever goalscorer in the tournament at the age of 18 years and 190 days. In [[stoppage time]], he hit the post with a long range shot, almost salvaging a point from the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Langdon |first=Jerry |date=22 June 1998 |title=World Cup: Romania shocks England; Colombia down Tunisia. |url=http://www.soccertimes.com/worldcup/1998/games/22jun.htm |access-date=25 August 2007 |publisher=soccertimes.com}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Because of his impact against Romania, Hoddle selected Owen in the starting line-up for England's decisive [[1998 FIFA World Cup Group G|group match]] against [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]]. England won the match and Owen retained his place for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup knockout stage|second round]] match against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]. After Argentina had taken a sixth-minute lead, Owen was fouled in the [[penalty area]] by [[Roberto Ayala]] and [[Alan Shearer]] equalised with the [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]]. In the 16th minute, Owen gave England a 2–1 lead with a sensational individual goal. After beating defenders Ayala and [[José Chamot]], he struck the ball past goalkeeper [[Carlos Roa]] from just outside the penalty box. In 2013, the goal was voted as the third-greatest in England's history.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 March 2013 |title=Owen solo in St-Etienne |work=TheFA.com |publisher=The Football Association |url=http://www.thefa.com/england/News/2013/top-10-goals-owen-argentina |url-status=live |access-date=26 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324001749/http://www.thefa.com/England/News/2013/top-10-goals-owen-argentina |archive-date=24 March 2013}}</ref> England eventually drew the match and went out of the tournament on [[penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalties]], with Owen successfully converting his kick.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 June 1998 |title=England pay penalty again |work=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/123666.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111041006/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/123666.stm |archive-date=11 November 2013}}</ref> At the end of the year, he won a public vote to be elected winner of the prestigious [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year]] title.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sports Personality of the Year – previous winners |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/keyfacts/stories/spoty.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117140401/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/keyfacts/stories/spoty.shtml |archive-date=17 January 2014 |access-date=8 November 2007 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

===Euro 2000===
Owen started the [[UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying Group 5|UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying phase]] as a regular in the England starting line-up. However, injury problems meant he missed much of the campaign as England struggled, with Hoddle being replaced by [[Kevin Keegan]]. On 4 September 1999, he scored his first goal at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] in a 6–0 win over [[Luxembourg national football team|Luxembourg]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 September 1999 |title=Shearer leads England rout |work=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/438477.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521140809/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/438477.stm |archive-date=21 May 2015}}</ref> At [[UEFA Euro 2000|the finals]], Owen scored once in three matches, as England were knocked out at the [[UEFA Euro 2000 Group A|group stage]], after losing again to Romania.

===2002 World Cup===
{{Quote box
| width = 20%
| align = right
| quote = "You know that if he is on the pitch, there is always the chance to win until the last second of the game. There are so many good memories of Michael and my relationship with him as coach, but it must be scoring three goals against Germany away. I never thought about that, but I wonder now how many players have scored three goals in Germany away? That can't be many."
| source = Sven-Göran Eriksson<ref name="bbc.co.uk" />|
}}
After Alan Shearer's retirement, Owen took over as England's senior striker<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 July 2000 |title=Who can replace Shearer for England? |work=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/sportstalk/800041.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017071343/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/sportstalk/800041.stm |archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref> under new manager [[Sven-Göran Eriksson]]. He scored six times during [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2002 World Cup qualifying]], including a [[hat-trick]] against [[Germany national football team|Germany]] at [[Munich]]'s [[Olympic Stadium (Munich)|Olympiastadion]], as England won the [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 9|qualifying group]]. His performances saw him named [[European Footballer of the Year]] for 2001.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 December 2001 |title=Owen crowned king of Europe |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/dec/18/newsstory.sport3 |url-status=live |access-date=26 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509224208/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/dec/18/newsstory.sport3 |archive-date=9 May 2014}}</ref>

In April 2002, he was named as England's [[Captain (association football)|captain]] for a friendly match against [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] in place of the injured regular captain David Beckham. Owen was the youngest England captain since [[Bobby Moore]] in 1963,<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 April 2002 |title=Owen named England captain |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2002/1930946.stm |url-status=live |access-date=8 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021028124207/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2002/1930946.stm |archive-date=28 October 2002}}</ref> and in the following few seasons regularly deputised for Beckham as Eriksson's vice-captain.

At the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup finals]], Owen failed to score during the [[2002 FIFA World Cup Group F|group stage]]. However, he was fouled for England's match winning penalty kick in the 1–0 win over Argentina. Owen scored in England's [[2002 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#Denmark vs England|second round]] match against [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]] and then gave England an early lead in the 2–1 [[2002 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#England vs Brazil|quarter-final]] defeat against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]].

===Euro 2004===
Owen scored five times in [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying Group 7|qualification]] for [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]].

At the tournament proper, Owen again failed to score during the [[UEFA Euro 2004 Group B|group stage]]. He then scored in the third minute of the [[UEFA Euro 2004 knockout stage|quarter-final]] with [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]], becoming the first England player to score in four consecutive major tournaments.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 June 2004 |title=Portugal break England hearts |work=BBC |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/3830451.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626193544/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/3830451.stm |archive-date=26 June 2018}}</ref> England went on to lose on penalties after a 2–2 draw.

===2006 World Cup===
[[File:England team.jpg|thumb|right|Owen ''(wearing No.10)'' lining up for [[England national football team|England]] against [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] at the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]].]]
In [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 6|qualification]] for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]], Owen scored five goals.

In May 2005, he scored his second international hat-trick in a friendly match against Colombia at [[Giants Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 May 2005 |title=Colombia 2–3 England |work=BBC |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4592021.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024122230/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4592021.stm |archive-date=24 October 2012}}</ref> In another pre-World Cup friendly, Owen scored two late goals to give England a 3–2 win over rivals Argentina in November 2005.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 November 2005 |title=Argentina 2–3 England |work=BBC |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4420426.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906230933/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4420426.stm |archive-date=6 September 2017}}</ref>

Owen made his debut for the [[England national football team (B)|England B-team]] in a friendly against [[Belarus national football team|Belarus]] on 25 May 2006, as part of his return to match fitness ahead of the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]]. He captained England B in this game, playing for 61&nbsp;minutes before being substituted.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 May 2006 |title=England B 1–2 Belarus |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5017924.stm |url-status=live |access-date=8 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501191058/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5017924.stm |archive-date=1 May 2009}}</ref>

Owen started England's first two games of the 2006 World Cup, against Paraguay and [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad and Tobago]], but did not manage to score. After playing only 51 seconds of his third appearance of the tournament, and 80th cap, in the final group game against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]], Owen badly twisted his right knee and was forced to leave the match on a stretcher.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 May 2006 |title=Sweden 2–2 England |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853282.stm |url-status=live |access-date=25 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422112509/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853282.stm |archive-date=22 April 2009}}</ref> A scan of the injury on 21 June confirmed that Owen had torn the [[anterior cruciate ligament]] (ACL) in his knee, and was sent home, no longer able to play in the tournament.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 June 2006 |title=Owen ruled out for several months |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5100516.stm |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070603215204/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5100516.stm |archive-date=3 June 2007}}</ref> In March 2009, Owen admitted that all injuries he was sustaining were relating back to his injury in the 2006 World Cup tournament, and that he should not have returned prematurely from injury to participate in the competition.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stewart |first=Rob |date=19 March 2009 |title=Michael Owen regrets making comeback at 2006 World Cup finals |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/5015634/Michael-Owen-regrets-making-comeback-at-2006-World-Cup-finals.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/5015634/Michael-Owen-regrets-making-comeback-at-2006-World-Cup-finals.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Final appearances===
Owen underwent successful reconstruction surgery, carried out by [[Richard Steadman]], on 6 September 2006.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 August 2006 |title=Owen may face season on sidelines |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/4801049.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820194909/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/4801049.stm |archive-date=20 August 2006}}</ref> The injury sidelined him until April 2007, meaning he missed England's first six matches in [[2008 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying#Group E|qualifying]] for [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008]]. He returned for the England B game against [[Albania national football team|Albania]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 May 2007 |title=England B 3–1 Albania |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6670865.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323101353/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6670865.stm |archive-date=23 March 2013}}</ref> and was named in the full squad for the first England match at the new [[Wembley Stadium]] against Brazil and the Euro 2008 qualifier against [[Estonia national football team|Estonia]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 May 2007 |title=Beckham recalled to England squad |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6694743.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005195058/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6694743.stm |archive-date=5 October 2007}}</ref> with Owen stating "I feel sharp and, if given the chance, I feel confident when in front of goal."<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 May 2007 |title=Sharp Owen set for England return |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6694125.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831125207/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6694125.stm |archive-date=31 August 2007}}</ref> He played in both matches and scored against Estonia, breaking Gary Lineker's record for most goals in competitive internationals for England.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hatherall |first=Chris |date=8 June 2007 |title=Owen's honour |work=TheFA.com |publisher=The Football Association |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2007/06/OwenHonour.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=8 June 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071029052102/http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2007/06/OwenHonour.htm |archive-date=29 October 2007}}</ref>

On 12 September 2007, Owen scored twice for England in a 3–0 win over [[Russia national football team|Russia]], becoming the first player to score international goals at both the old and new Wembley Stadiums.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sanghera |first=Mandeep |date=8 September 2007 |title=England 3–0 Israel |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6983518.stm |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819154728/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6983518.stm |archive-date=19 August 2017}}</ref> These were to be Owen's final goals for England.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 March 2013 |title=Michael Owen retires: Striker to stop playing at end of season |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21839361 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508070338/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21839361 |archive-date=8 May 2021 |access-date=20 July 2021 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref>

After England failed to qualify for [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008]], manager [[Steve McClaren]] was replaced by [[Fabio Capello]]. Owen made only one appearance under Capello, as a substitute in a friendly against [[France national football team|France]] in March 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 May 2011 |title=Michael Owen hits out at Fabio Capello for his England exile |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/24/michael-owen-fabio-capello-england |url-status=live |access-date=26 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422232323/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/24/michael-owen-fabio-capello-england |archive-date=22 April 2014}}</ref>

==Style of play==
In his prime, Owen was highly regarded for his great pace,<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 May 1998 |title=Owen, il principe ereditario |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1998/maggio/29/Owen_principe_ereditario_ga_0_9805299649.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218202319/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1998/maggio/29/Owen_principe_ereditario_ga_0_9805299649.shtml |archive-date=18 December 2014 |access-date=18 December 2014 |publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it}}</ref> opportunism<ref name="meraviglia di ragazzo">{{Cite web |date=1 December 2001 |title=meraviglia di ragazzo |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2001/dicembre/01/meraviglia_ragazzo_sw_0_0112011633.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218200156/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2001/dicembre/01/meraviglia_ragazzo_sw_0_0112011633.shtml |archive-date=18 December 2014 |access-date=18 December 2014 |publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it}}</ref> and agility,<ref name="repubblica.it">{{Cite web |title=Owen, il bravo ragazzo nato per essere grande |url=http://www.repubblica.it/online/calcio/owen/owen/owen.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924153645/http://www.repubblica.it/online/calcio/owen/owen/owen.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=18 December 2014 |publisher=La Repubblica |language=it}}</ref> as well as his technical ability and his eye for goal,<ref name="meraviglia di ragazzo" /><ref name="repubblica.it" /> which enabled him to be considered one of the greatest English and Premier League strikers of his generation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Owen: One of the best careers any Englishman has ever had |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/michael-owen-one-best-careers-any-englishman-has-ever-had |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218203439/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/michael-owen-one-best-careers-any-englishman-has-ever-had |archive-date=18 December 2014 |access-date=18 December 2014 |publisher=FourFourTwo.com}}</ref> A prolific goalscorer, Owen was a powerful and accurate finisher,<ref name="repubblica.it" /><ref name="ricerca.repubblica.it">{{Cite web |date=27 March 2001 |title=Michael Owen: 'Vicino a Crespo farei follie' |url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2001/03/27/michael-owen-vicino-crespo-farei-follie.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218195025/http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2001/03/27/michael-owen-vicino-crespo-farei-follie.html |archive-date=18 December 2014 |access-date=18 December 2014 |publisher=La Repubblica |language=it}}</ref> who was also effective with his head, despite his lack of height.<ref name="repubblica.it" /><ref name="ricerca.repubblica.it" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Head the ball like Michael Owen |date=8 July 2002 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/skills/newsid_2071000/2071618.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230094458/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/skills/newsid_2071000/2071618.stm |archive-date=30 December 2013 |access-date=18 December 2014 |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 August 1998 |title=l' Inter fa l' esame al gioiellino Owen |language=it |trans-title=Inter tests the little jewel Owen |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1998/agosto/04/Inter_esame_gioiellino_Owen_ga_0_9808041948.shtml |url-status=live |access-date=18 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218202316/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1998/agosto/04/Inter_esame_gioiellino_Owen_ga_0_9808041948.shtml |archive-date=18 December 2014}}</ref> He was also capable of linking up with and creating chances for teammates due to his short passing ability and vision.<ref name="repubblica.it" /><ref name="ricerca.repubblica.it" /> Despite, or even due to, his precocious talent in his youth,<ref name="repubblica.it" /> Owen faced many injuries throughout his career, which in later years affected his pace, fitness, mobility and the overall consistency of his performances.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2009 |title=Owen, precario di lusso Ora cerca lavoro con un book |url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Estero/Premierleague/15-06-2009/owen-precario-lusso-50531693779.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219170127/http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Estero/Premierleague/15-06-2009/owen-precario-lusso-50531693779.shtml |archive-date=19 December 2014 |access-date=18 December 2014 |publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Owen met Louise Bonsall at primary school in 1984.<ref name="plans">{{Cite news |date=5 May 2005 |title=Star Owen switches wedding plans |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/4516841.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703155248/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/4516841.stm |archive-date=3 July 2007}}</ref> The couple bought Lower Soughton Manor near [[Mold, Flintshire]], [[north Wales]], where they keep his cars and her horses. They were engaged on 14 February 2004, and married on 24 June 2005,<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 June 2005 |title=Michael Owen marries girlfriend |publisher=BBC Newsround |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4620000/newsid_4621000/4621013.stm |url-status=live |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401205645/http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4620000/newsid_4621000/4621013.stm |archive-date=1 April 2009}}</ref> at the Carden Park Hotel in [[Chester]], Cheshire. The couple had initially planned to get married at their home, but changed plans when they were informed that if a licence was granted for a marriage ceremony the venue must be made available for other weddings for three years,<ref name=plans/> so opted to marry in a register office in informal clothing and have a lavish reception the next day in the grounds of their home.

Their daughter, Gemma Rose, was born on 1 May 2003.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 May 2003 |title=Baby joy for Owen |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/2993357.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061229024920/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/2993357.stm |archive-date=29 December 2006}}</ref> On 6 February 2006, they had a son named James Michael. Their third child, a daughter, Emily May, was born on 29 October 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 October 2007 |title=Michael A Dad Again |url=http://groups.msn.com/onemichaelowen/latestnews.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=21604&LastModified=4675646010411997364&all_topics=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207213153/http://groups.msn.com/onemichaelowen/latestnews.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=21604&LastModified=4675646010411997364&all_topics=1 |archive-date=7 December 2007 |access-date=31 October 2007}}</ref> Their fourth child Jessica was born on 26 February 2010.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dickinson |first=Matt |date=1 March 2010 |title=Michael Owen tastes the sweet and sour at Wembley |work=The Times |publisher=Times Newspapers |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article7044667.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601155110/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article7044667.ece |archive-date=1 June 2010}}</ref> Owen revealed in January 2024 that his son James had been diagnosed with [[Stargardt disease]], a degenerative eye condition, when he was eight years old.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2024 |title=Footballer Michael Owen on sight loss: 'I'd swap eyes with my son if I could'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/disability-68076555 |website=BBC News| access-date=24 January 2024 }}</ref>

After Owen returned to England to play for Newcastle, he travelled to a nearby [[BAE Systems]] facility on a daily basis in order to fly, by [[helicopter]], to train with his club. However, there is now a helipad installed within the grounds of the house to accommodate Owen's [[Eurocopter Dauphin]], with which he both travels and is training to become a pilot.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rayment |first=Sean |date=2 January 2006 |title=One millionaire footballer's new goal: to fly like a Bond villain |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/01/01/nowen01.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/01/01/ixnewstop.html |url-status=dead |access-date=13 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060303153214/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2006%2F01%2F01%2Fnowen01.xml&sSheet=%2Fnews%2F2006%2F01%2F01%2Fixnewstop.html |archive-date=3 March 2006}}</ref> Owen was eventually banned from training to be a pilot by Newcastle United due to excessive insurance premiums.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 August 2006 |title=Sky-high bills 'ground Michael Owen' |url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/tm_objectid=17638897&method=full&siteid=50081&headline=sky-high-bills--ground-michael-owen--name_page.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001154441/http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/tm_objectid%3D17638897%26method%3Dfull%26siteid%3D50081%26headline%3Dsky-high-bills--ground-michael-owen--name_page.html |archive-date=1 October 2012 |access-date=30 July 2010 |website=The Journal |publisher=ncjMedia |location=Newcastle}}</ref>

Owen bought multiple houses on one street for his extended family in [[Ewloe]], which is in an area close to where he used to live.<ref name="Guardian 2001">{{Cite news |date=17 January 2001 |title=Parents: Jim White on Michael Owen |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/jan/17/sport.familyandrelationships |url-status=live |access-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530161151/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/jan/17/sport.familyandrelationships |archive-date=30 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=12 January 2004 |title=Star's old home for sale |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/3388685.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207001837/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/3388685.stm |archive-date=7 December 2008}}</ref>

In 2004, Owen's sister Karen was assaulted by two youths, who attempted to kidnap her. When she revealed that she was pregnant, they fled.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 February 2004 |title=Kidnap attempt on Owen's sister |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/3492341.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205060523/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/3492341.stm |archive-date=5 December 2008}}</ref>

Owen owns several cars and a helicopter and enjoys [[horse racing]] and gambling. He owns many race horses, trained by [[Tom Dascombe]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/themichaelowen/status/63346257405546497 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054453/https://twitter.com/themichaelowen/status/63346257405546497 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=28 April 2011}}</ref> He bred the horse [[Brown Panther]] which won a major race at [[Royal Ascot]] in 2011,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keogh |first=Frank |date=16 June 2011 |title=Royal Ascot: Michael Owen's tears of joy at winner |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/13800982 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054458/https://www.bbc.com/sport/horse-racing/13800982 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=27 November 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> and the 2015 [[Dubai Gold Cup]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Armytage |first=Marcus |date=29 March 2015 |title=Michael Owen's 'horse of a lifetime' Brown Panther wins Dubai Gold Cup |work=Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/11502034/Michael-Owens-horse-of-a-lifetime-Brown-Panther-wins-Dubai-Gold-Cup.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 March 2015 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/11502034/Michael-Owens-horse-of-a-lifetime-Brown-Panther-wins-Dubai-Gold-Cup.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 24 November 2017, Owen rode on Calder Prince at [[Ascot Racecourse|Ascot]] and finished second, beaten by Tom Chatfield-Roberts on Golden Wedding. He was one of 10 amateur riders to take part in the seven-furlong 'Prince's Countryside Fund Charity' contest, which was attended by HRH Prince Charles and HRH Duchess of Cornwall.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 November 2017 |title=Michael Owen 'delighted' with finishing second on horse racing debut at Ascot |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/racing/2017/11/24/michael-owen-delighted-finishing-second-horse-racing-debut-ascot/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/racing/2017/11/24/michael-owen-delighted-finishing-second-horse-racing-debut-ascot/ |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Owen was a brand ambassador for British bookmaker [[Colossus Bets]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stoker |first=Liam |title=Colossus Bets signs up former England striker Michael Owen |url=https://egr.global/intel/news/colossus_bets_signs_up_former_england_striker_michael_owen_/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054500/https://egr.global/intel/news/colossus_bets_signs_up_former_england_striker_michael_owen_/ |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=15 March 2021 |website=EGR Intel|date=10 September 2013 }}</ref>

===Media career===
Owen starred in a series of adverts that charted his life and rise to fame.<ref name="adverts">{{Cite news |date=7 March 2004 |title=Owen stars in his own soap |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3541103.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040312144519/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3541103.stm |archive-date=12 March 2004}}</ref> In 2001, he was the advertising face of breakfast cereal "[[Nestlé]] Sporties". He also appeared in several adverts for the washing powder [[Persil]], in a contract worth £1&nbsp;million.<ref name="adverts" /> Owen was selected as one of the two cover athletes for ''[[Pro Evolution Soccer 2008]]'', alongside [[Cristiano Ronaldo]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Owen fronts PES 08 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=80143 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731070146/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=80143 |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 July 2012 |access-date=27 October 2007 |website=Eurogamer }}</ref> He has been an ambassador of the Swiss watchmaker [[Tissot]] since 1998 and has a contract with car manufacturer [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguar]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=SOCCER Michael Owen |url=http://www.michaelowenpics.com/pictures_183700/183700.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070513021300/http://www.michaelowenpics.com/pictures_183700/183700.html |archive-date=13 May 2007 |access-date=27 October 2007 |publisher=michaelowenpics.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 1999 |title=Jaguar Signs Agreement With Michael Owen |url=http://www.cwn.org.uk/motoring/jaguar/9906/990604-michael-owen.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927203138/http://www.cwn.org.uk/motoring/jaguar/9906/990604-michael-owen.htm |archive-date=27 September 2007 |access-date=1 September 2007 |website=cwn.org.uk}}</ref>

Following his retirement from football, Owen has worked as a pundit on football broadcasts, currently appreaing for [[TNT Sports (United Kingdom)|TNT Sports]] (formerly BT Sport) and [[Sports on Amazon Prime Video#United Kingdom|Amazon Prime Video]].

Owen also starred as himself in the children's television drama show ''[[Hero to Zero]]''. In the programme, Owen would emerge from a full-size poster of himself in Charlie Brice's room to offer advice in times of crisis.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/652273.stm |title=Owen scores drama first |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813164725/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/652273.stm |archivedate=13 August 2017 |website=BBC News |date=22 February 2000 }}</ref>

In January 2018, Owen participated in ''[[And They're Off!]]'' in aid of Sport Relief, winning the episode.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/proginfo/2018/02/and-theyre-off |title=And They're Off... For Sport Relief |website=BBC |date=6 January 2018 }}</ref>

In January 2022, Owen appeared on the [[The Masked Singer (British series 3)|third series]] of ''[[The Masked Singer (British TV series)|The Masked Singer]]'' as "Doughnuts". He was the seventh to be unmasked.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 January 2022 |title=Doughnuts revealed to be ex-Stoke City player Michael Owen on The Masked Singer |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/doughnuts-revealed-ex-stoke-city-6572445 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129205527/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/doughnuts-revealed-ex-stoke-city-6572445 |archive-date=29 January 2022 |access-date=29 January 2022 |website=Stoke Sentinel}}</ref>

In June 2022, his oldest daughter Gemma, 19, took part in [[Love Island (2015 TV series, series 8)|series 8]] of [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] reality show ''[[Love Island (2015 TV series)|Love Island]]'' where she finished in second place.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 June 2022 |title=Michael Owen Defends Love Island Daughter Gemma Over Age Comments |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/michael-owen-daughter-gemma-age-love-island_uk_62a469e1e4b04a61734f19ff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714143108/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/michael-owen-daughter-gemma-age-love-island_uk_62a469e1e4b04a61734f19ff |archive-date=14 July 2022 |access-date=14 July 2022 |website=Huffington Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 August 2022 |title=Love Island: Ekin-Su and Davide crowned 2022 winners in live final |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-62380597 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802002239/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-62380597 |archive-date=2 August 2022 |access-date=2 August 2022 |website=BBC News}}</ref>

===Controversies===
In June 2021, Owen was exposed for [[sexting]] and soliciting nude photographs from former reality television personality and politician [[Rebecca Jane]], as well as arranging to meet with her at a horse-racing event despite his marital status.<ref>{{citeweb|last=Cardy|first=Phil|title=Married England legend Michael Owen begged reality TV star for nude pictures|date=19 June 2021|publisher=[[Daily Mirror|The Daily Mirror]]|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/married-england-legend-michael-owen-24356692|access-date=8 November 2025}}</ref>

In May 2022, cryptocasino Punt announced Owen as their most recent global brand ambassador.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=19 May 2022 |title=Michael Owen joins Punt Casino as brand ambassador |url=https://igamingbusiness.com/michael-owen-joins-punt-casino-as-brand-ambassador/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601145434/https://igamingbusiness.com/michael-owen-joins-punt-casino-as-brand-ambassador/ |archive-date=1 June 2022 |access-date=1 June 2022 |journal=IGaming Business}}</ref> Following this, in June 2022 Owen was found to have breached UK laws regarding gambling advertising, as he had used his Twitter account to promote an unlicenced cryptocurrency casino to the British public. He was instructed by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to delete the promotions for the non-fungible token scheme, which breached rules about advertising cryptocurrency gambling products.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 June 2022 |title=Michael Owen in breach of UK gambling advertising laws |url=https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/16706/michael-owen-in-breach-of-uk-gambling-advertising-laws |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610084108/https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/16706/michael-owen-in-breach-of-uk-gambling-advertising-laws |archive-date=10 June 2022 |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=Gambling Insider}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{Cite web |last=Endlar |first=Andrew |title=Michael Owen |url=http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/playermenu/owen_m.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730163029/http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/playermenu/owen_m.html |archive-date=30 July 2013 |access-date=2 October 2010 |publisher=StretfordEnd.co.uk}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National Cup{{efn|Includes [[Copa del Rey]], [[FA Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|League Cup
!colspan="2"|[[UEFA#Club|Europe]]
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="9"|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
|[[1996–97 Liverpool F.C. season|1996–97]]
|[[Premier League]]
|2||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2||1
|-
|[[1997–98 Liverpool F.C. season|1997–98]]
|Premier League
|36||18||0||0||4||4||4{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]}}||1||colspan="2"|—||44||23
|-
|[[1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season|1998–99]]
|Premier League
|30||18||2||2||2||1||6{{efn|name=UC}}||2||colspan="2"|—||40||23
|-
|[[1999–2000 Liverpool F.C. season|1999–2000]]
|Premier League
|27||11||1||0||2||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||30||12
|-
|[[2000–01 Liverpool F.C. season|2000–01]]
|Premier League
|28||16||5||3||2||1||11{{efn|name=UC}}||4||colspan="2"|—||46||24
|-
|[[2001–02 Liverpool F.C. season|2001–02]]
|Premier League
|29||19||2||2||0||0||10{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||5||2{{efn|name=LIV|One appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]], one in [[FA Community Shield|Charity Shield]]}}||2||43||28
|-
|[[2002–03 Liverpool F.C. season|2002–03]]
|Premier League
|35||19||2||0||4||2||12{{efn|name=LIV1|Six appearances and four goals in [[UEFA Champions League]], six appearances and three goals in [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]}}||7||1{{efn|name=CS|Appearance in [[FA Community Shield]]}}||0||54||28
|-
|[[2003–04 Liverpool F.C. season|2003–04]]
|Premier League
|29||16||3||1||0||0||6{{efn|name=UC}}||2||colspan="2"|—||38||19
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!216!!118!!15!!8!!14!!9!!49!!21!!3!!2!!297!!158
|-
|[[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]
|[[2004–05 Real Madrid CF season|2004–05]]
|[[La Liga]]
|36||13||4||2||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||colspan="2"|—||45||16
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
|[[2005–06 Newcastle United F.C. season|2005–06]]
|Premier League
|11||7||0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||11||7
|-
|[[2006–07 Newcastle United F.C. season|2006–07]]
|Premier League
|3||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||3||0
|-
|[[2007–08 Newcastle United F.C. season|2007–08]]
|Premier League
|29||11||3||1||1||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||33||13
|-
|[[2008–09 Newcastle United F.C. season|2008–09]]
|Premier League
|28||8||2||0||2||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||32||10
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!71!!26!!5!!1!!3!!3!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!79!!30
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
|[[2009–10 Manchester United F.C. season|2009–10]]
|Premier League
|19||3||1||0||4||2||6{{efn|name=UCL}}||4||1{{efn|name=CS}}||0||31||9
|-
|[[2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season|2010–11]]
|Premier League
|11||2||2||1||1||2||2{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=CS}}||0||17||5
|-
|[[2011–12 Manchester United F.C. season|2011–12]]
|Premier League
|1||0||0||0||2||3||1{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||0||0||4||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!31!!5!!3!!1!!7!!7!!9!!4!!2!!0!!52!!17
|-
|[[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]
|[[2012–13 Stoke City F.C. season|2012–13]]
|Premier League
|8||1||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||9||1
|-
!colspan="3"|Total
!362!!163!!28!!12!!24!!19!!63!!26!!5!!2!!482!!222
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{NFT player|2146|name=Michael Owen|accessdate=3 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/owen-intlg.html |title=Michael James Owen – Goals in International Matches |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208192254/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/owen-intlg.html |archivedate=8 February 2011 |website=[[RSSSF]] |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=23 April 2008 |accessdate=3 May 2011 }}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="11"|[[England national football team|England]]
|1998||12||4
|-
|1999||6||1
|-
|2000||6||3
|-
|2001||8||6
|-
|2002||12||5
|-
|2003||9||5
|-
|2004||13||4
|-
|2005||9||7
|-
|2006||5||1
|-
|2007||8||4
|-
|2008||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!89!!40
|}

:''Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Owen goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Michael Owen<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael James Owen – Goals in International Matches |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/owen-intlg.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208192254/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/owen-intlg.html |archive-date=8 February 2011 |access-date=3 May 2021 |website=[[RSSSF]]}}</ref>
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 1 || 27 May 1998 || [[Stade Mohamed V]], [[Casablanca]] || {{fb|MAR}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 || [[1998 King Hassan II International Cup Tournament]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 2 || 22 June 1998 || [[Stade de Toulouse]], [[Toulouse]] || {{fb|ROM}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–1 ||style="text-align:center"| 1–2 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 3 || 30 June 1998 || [[Stade Geoffroy-Guichard]], [[Saint-Étienne]] || {{fb|ARG}} ||style="text-align:center"| 2–1 ||style="text-align:center"| 2–2 (3–4[[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|p]]) || 1998 FIFA World Cup
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 4 || 14 October 1998 || [[Stade Josy Barthel]], [[Luxembourg City]] || {{fb|LUX}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 3–0 || [[UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying|UEFA Euro 2000 qualification]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 5 || 4 September 1999 || [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], [[London]] || {{fb|LUX}} ||style="text-align:center"| 6–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 6–0 || UEFA Euro 2000 qualification
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 6 || 27 May 2000 || Wembley Stadium, London || {{fb|BRA}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 1–1 || [[Friendly match|Friendly]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 7 || 20 June 2000 || [[Stade du Pays de Charleroi]], [[Charleroi]] || {{fb|ROU}} ||style="text-align:center"| 2–1 ||style="text-align:center"| 2–3 || [[UEFA Euro 2000]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 8 || 2 September 2000 || [[Stade de France]], [[Paris]] || {{fb|FRA}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–1 ||style="text-align:center"| 1–1 || Friendly
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 9 || 24 March 2001 || [[Anfield]], [[Liverpool]] || {{fb|FIN}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–1 ||style="text-align:center"| 2–1 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 10 || 28 March 2001 || [[Qemal Stafa (stadium)|Qemal Stafa]], [[Tirana]] || {{fb|ALB}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 3–1 || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 11 ||rowspan="3"| 1 September 2001 ||rowspan="3"| [[Olympic Stadium (Munich)|Olympic Stadium]], [[Munich]] ||rowspan="3"| {{fb|GER}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–1 ||rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"| [[Germany 1–5 England (2001)|5–1]] ||rowspan="3"| 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 12 ||style="text-align:center"| 3–1
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 13 ||style="text-align:center"| 4–1
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 14 || 5 September 2001 || [[St James' Park]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]] || {{fb|ALB}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 2–0 || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 15 || 17 April 2002 || Anfield, Liverpool || {{fb|PAR}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 4–0 || Friendly
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 16 || 21 May 2002 || [[Jeju World Cup Stadium]], [[Seogwipo]] || {{fb|KOR}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 1–1 || Friendly
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 17 || 15 June 2002 || [[Stadium Big Swan]], [[Niigata, Niigata|Niigata]] || {{fb|DEN}} ||style="text-align:center"| 2–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 3–0 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 18 || 21 June 2002 || [[Shizuoka Stadium]], [[Shizuoka, Shizuoka|Shizuoka]] || {{fb|BRA}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 1–2 || 2002 FIFA World Cup
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 19 || 12 October 2002 || [[Tehelné pole]], [[Bratislava]] || {{fb|SVK}} ||style="text-align:center"| 2–1 ||style="text-align:center"| 2–1 || [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying|UEFA Euro 2004 qualification]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 20 || 29 March 2003 || [[Rheinpark Stadion]], [[Vaduz]] || {{fb|LIE}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 2–0 || UEFA Euro 2004 qualification
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 21 ||rowspan="2"| 11 June 2003 ||rowspan="2"| [[Riverside Stadium]], [[Middlesbrough]] ||rowspan="2"| {{fb|SVK}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–1 ||rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| 2–1 ||rowspan="2"| UEFA Euro 2004 qualification
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 22 ||style="text-align:center"| 2–1
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 23 || 20 August 2003 || [[Portman Road]], [[Ipswich]] || {{fb|CRO}} ||style="text-align:center"| 2–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 3–1 || Friendly
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 24 || 10 September 2003 || Old Trafford, [[Manchester]] || {{fb|LIE}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 2–0 || UEFA Euro 2004 qualification
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 25 || 1 June 2004 || [[City of Manchester Stadium]], Manchester || {{fb|JPN}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 1–1 || [[2004 FA Summer Tournament]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 26 || 24 June 2004 || [[Estádio da Luz]], [[Lisbon]] || {{fb|POR}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 2–2 (5–6[[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|p]])|| [[UEFA Euro 2004]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 27 || 18 August 2004 || St James' Park, Newcastle || {{fb|UKR}} ||style="text-align:center"| 2–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 3–0 || Friendly
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 28 || 13 October 2004 || [[Tofik Bakhramov Stadium]], [[Baku]] || {{fb|AZE}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2006 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 29 || 26 March 2005 || Old Trafford, Manchester || {{fb|NIR}} ||style="text-align:center"| 2–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 4–0 || 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 30 ||rowspan="3"| 31 May 2005 ||rowspan="3"| [[Giants Stadium]], [[East Rutherford, New Jersey|East Rutherford]] ||rowspan="3"| {{fb|COL}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"| 3–2 ||rowspan="3"| Friendly
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 31 ||style="text-align:center"| 2–0
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 32 ||style="text-align:center"| 3–1
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 33 || 12 October 2005 || Old Trafford, Manchester || {{fb|POL}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 2–1 || 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 34 ||rowspan="2"| 12 November 2005 ||rowspan="2"| [[Stade de Genève]], [[Geneva]] ||rowspan="2"| {{fb|ARG}} ||style="text-align:center"| 2–2 ||rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| 3–2 ||rowspan="2"| Friendly
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 35 ||style="text-align:center"| 3–2
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 36 || 3 June 2006 || [[Old Trafford]], Manchester || {{fb|JAM}} ||style="text-align:center"| 4–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 6–0 || Friendly
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 37 || 6 June 2007 || [[A. Le Coq Arena]], [[Tallinn]] || {{fb|EST}} ||style="text-align:center"| 3–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 3–0 || [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying|UEFA Euro 2008 qualification]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 38 || 8 September 2007 || [[Wembley Stadium]], London || {{fb|ISR}} ||style="text-align:center"| 2–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 3–0 || UEFA Euro 2008 qualification
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 39 ||rowspan="2"| 12 September 2007 ||rowspan="2"| Wembley Stadium, London ||rowspan="2"| {{fb|RUS}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| 3–0 ||rowspan="2"| UEFA Euro 2008 qualification
|-
|style="text-align:center"| 40 ||style="text-align:center"| 2–0
|}

==Honours==

'''Liverpool'''<ref name="Club honours">{{Cite web |title=A look back at the eight major honours in Michael Owen's career - Evening Express |url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/sport/a-look-back-at-the-eight-major-honours-in-michael-owens-career/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605101034/https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/sport/a-look-back-at-the-eight-major-honours-in-michael-owens-career/ |archive-date=5 June 2020 |access-date=15 January 2022 |website=eveningexpress.co.uk}}</ref>
* [[FA Cup]]: [[2001 FA Cup Final|2000–01]]
* [[EFL Cup|League Cup]]: [[2001 Football League Cup Final|2000–01]], [[2003 Football League Cup Final|2002–03]]
* [[FA Community Shield|FA Charity Shield]]: [[2001 FA Charity Shield|2001]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 August 2002 |title=Slick Arsenal win Shield |work=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/2182875.stm |url-status=live |access-date=13 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107082047/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/2182875.stm |archive-date=7 November 2021}}</ref>
* [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]: [[2001 UEFA Cup Final|2000–01]]
* [[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[2001 UEFA Super Cup|2001]]

'''Newcastle United'''
*[[UEFA Intertoto Cup]]: [[2006 UEFA Intertoto Cup|2006]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/5179256.stm |title=Newcastle 1–1 Lillestrom |website=BBC Sport |date=15 July 2006 |access-date=11 May 2019}}<br />{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/5203392.stm |title=L'strom 0–3 Newcastle (agg 1–4) |website=BBC Sport |date=22 July 2006 |access-date=11 May 2019}}<br />{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6185511.stm |title=Newcastle to lift Intertoto Cup |website=BBC Sport |date=16 December 2006 |access-date=11 May 2019}}</ref>

'''Manchester United'''<ref name="Club honours" />
* [[Premier League]]: [[2010–11 Premier League|2010–11]]<ref name="PL">{{Cite web |title=Michael Owen: Overview |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/1208/Michael-Owen/overview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418161152/https://www.premierleague.com/players/1208/Michael-Owen/overview |archive-date=18 April 2018 |access-date=17 April 2018 |publisher=Premier League}}</ref>
* [[Football League Cup|League Cup]]: [[2010 Football League Cup Final|2009–10]]
* [[FA Community Shield]]: [[2010 FA Community Shield|2010]]

'''Individual'''
<!--LEAGUE AND FEDERATION-SANCTIONED AWARDS ONLY. No fan or magazine-voted awards. Listed in chronological order from last time won.-->
* [[Ballon d'Or]]: [[2001 Ballon d'Or|2001]]<ref name="Club honours" />
* [[World Soccer (magazine)#Men's World Player of the Year|''World Soccer'' World Player of the Year]]: 2001<ref name="Club honours" />
* [[European Sports Media#ESM Team of the Year|ESM Team of the Year]]: [[European Sports Media#2000–01|2000–01]]<ref name="rsssf">{{Cite web |title=ESM XI |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/esm-xi.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207144925/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/esm-xi.html |archive-date=7 February 2016 |access-date=18 July 2015 |publisher=The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation}}</ref>
* [[Onze d'Or|Onze d'Argent]]: 2001<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 December 2018 |title=Onze Mondial Awards |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924125510/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html |archive-date=24 September 2018 |access-date=30 September 2019}}</ref>
* [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year]]: [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year|1998]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sports Personality roll of honour |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/7663176.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009194115/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/7663176.stm |archive-date=9 October 2014 |access-date=6 October 2014 |website=BBC Sport|date=22 December 2011 }}</ref>
* [[Premier League Golden Boot]]: [[1997–98 FA Premier League#Top goal scorers|1997–98]], [[1998–99 FA Premier League#Top scorers|1998–99]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Topical Top 10s |url=http://www.skysports.com/interactive/top_tens_story/0,25722,11065_6134449,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008220608/http://www.skysports.com/interactive/top_tens_story/0%2C25722%2C11065_6134449%2C00.html |archive-date=8 October 2014 |access-date=6 October 2014 |website=Sky Sports}}</ref>
* [[Premier League Player of the Season]]: [[1997–98 FA Premier League#Player and managerial awards|1997–98]]<ref name=PL/>
* [[PFA Young Player of the Year]]: 1997–98<ref name="PFA">{{Cite web |title=Player profile – Michael Owen |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/391 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024123920/http://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/391 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |access-date=6 October 2014 |website=Liverpool History}}</ref>
* [[PFA Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Team of the Year (1990s)#FA Premier League 6|1997–98 Premier League]]<ref name="PFA" />
* [[Premier League Player of the Month]]: [[1998–99 FA Premier League#Monthly awards|August 1998]]<ref name=PL/>
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#FIFA Young Player Award|FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award]]: [[1998 FIFA World Cup|France 1998]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zidane lights the blue-touch paper for France |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/worldcup/france1998/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009173828/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/worldcup/france1998/ |archive-date=9 October 2014 |access-date=6 October 2014 |website=FIFA}}</ref>
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#All-Star Team|FIFA World Cup All-Star Team]]: 1998 (Reserve)<ref name="98team">{{Cite web |date=10 July 1998 |title=FIFA Technical Study Group designates MasterCard All-Star Team |url=https://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=71747/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129073958/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=71747/index.html |archive-date=29 November 2014 |access-date=17 January 2015 |publisher=FIFA.com}}</ref>
* [[Premier League 10 Seasons Awards]]: [[Premier League 10 Seasons Awards#Teams of the Decade|Domestic Team of the Decade]]<ref name="Telegraph15Apr03Seaman">{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Christopher |date=15 April 2003 |title=Seaman is the greatest, says Shearer |work=The Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2399687/Seaman-is-the-greatest-says-Shearer.html |url-status=dead |access-date=1 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112234806/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2399687/Seaman-is-the-greatest-says-Shearer.html |archive-date=12 November 2012}}</ref>
* [[FIFA 100]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 March 2004 |title=These are the 125 players selected by Brazilian legend Pele to mark Fifa's 100th anniversary. |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533891.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019205959/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533891.stm |archive-date=19 October 2018 |access-date=6 October 2014 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref>
* [[English Football Hall of Fame]]: 2014 <ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2015 |title=MICHAEL OWEN |url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/michael-owen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207223630/http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/michael-owen |archive-date=7 February 2016 |access-date=9 July 2015 |website=National Football Museum}}</ref>
* [[Golden Foot]]: 2017, as [[Golden Foot#Award legends|football legend]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=LEGENDS – GoldenFoot |url=https://goldenfoot.com/legends/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129105156/https://goldenfoot.com/legends/ |archive-date=29 January 2018 |access-date=5 January 2017 |publisher=Golden Foot}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 November 2017 |title=Casillas admits retirement is looming following Golden Foot award |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2017/11/08/5a02d415ca47415c388b4610.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001001744/http://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2017/11/08/5a02d415ca47415c388b4610.html |archive-date=1 October 2018 |access-date=8 November 2017 |publisher=Marca}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.liverpoolfc.com/info/michael-owen Profile] at the Liverpool F.C. website
* [https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/the-club/history/football-legends/michael-owen Profile] at the Real Madrid CF website
* {{FIFA player}}
* {{UEFA player}}
* {{IMDb name|0654213}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070302093537/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/michael_owen Michael Owen's column in The Times]
* Photographs and statistics at sporting-heroes.net – [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/searchresults.asp?ButtonLeap=0&countryLinkDescription=+matching+search+results&FootballHeroName=michael+owen&FootballHeroClubCountry=england&FootballHeroDecade=Select+One&SearchButton=Search England], [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/searchresults.asp?ButtonLeap=0&countryLinkDescription=+matching+search+results&FootballHeroName=michael+owen&FootballHeroClubCountry=liverpool&FootballHeroDecade=Select+One&SearchButton=Search Liverpool], [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_eurochamps.asp?HeroID=10685 Real Madrid], [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=11466 Newcastle]
* {{Premier League player|new_id=1795|old_id=1208|archive=20250612033907}}
* {{Soccerbase}}
* {{Englandstats | 1086 }}

{{Navboxes
|title=England squads
|bg=white
|fg=#0B0B3F
|bordercolor=#0B0B3F
|list1=
{{England squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
{{England squad UEFA Euro 2000}}
{{England squad 2002 FIFA World Cup}}
{{England squad UEFA Euro 2004}}
{{England squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|list1=
{{1997–98 Premier League Team of the Year}}
{{FIFA World Cup Best Young Player}}
{{Ballon d'Or recipients}}
{{Premier League Golden Boot}}
{{Premier League Player of the Season}}
{{PFA Young Player of the Year}}
{{BBC Sports Personality of the Year winners}}
{{FIFA 100}}
{{Golden Foot Legends Award}}
{{English Football Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Owen, Michael}}
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2002 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Ballon d'Or winners]]
[[Category:BBC Sports Personality of the Year winners]]
[[Category:England men's B international footballers]]
[[Category:England men's international footballers]]
[[Category:England men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:England men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:English football commentators]]
[[Category:English autobiographers]]
[[Category:English expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Spain]]
[[Category:English Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:English racehorse owners and breeders]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain]]
[[Category:FIFA 100]]
[[Category:First Division/Premier League top scorers]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Liverpool F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Liverpool F.C. players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Manchester United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Mold Alexandra F.C. players]]
[[Category:Newcastle United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Owen family|Michael]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Hawarden]]
[[Category:Footballers from Flintshire]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Real Madrid CF players]]
[[Category:Footballers from Chester]]
[[Category:Stoke City F.C. players]]
[[Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2000 players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2004 players]]
[[Category:World Soccer Magazine World Player of the Year winners]]