English footballer who won the Ballon d'Or in 2001, known for his pace and clinical finishing as a striker for Liverpool, Real Madrid and England
Michael James Owen was born in Chester in 1979 and made his Liverpool debut aged 17. His goal against Argentina at France 98 — a surging 40-yard run past three defenders followed by a composed finish — announced him to the world at 18. He won the Ballon d'Or in 2001, the only Liverpool player to do so, scoring 16 league goals that season as Liverpool won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup treble. He scored 158 goals in 297 Liverpool appearances. He joined Real Madrid in 2004 before returning to Newcastle. Persistent hamstring injuries progressively limited his effectiveness but he scored Premier League goals for Manchester United (2009-12) and Stoke City (2012-13). He scored 40 international goals in 89 England appearances. At his absolute peak between 1997 and 2003 — before recurring hamstring problems — his pace, positioning and composure in front of goal ranked him among Europe's finest strikers. He retired in 2013 and became a television pundit and racehorse owner and trainer.
Becoming the youngest player to score for England at a World Cup
How They Played
Pacey striker with excellent movement in the box and clinical finishing
Lasting Impact
One of England's greatest strikers who combined pace and clinical finishing
Career Honours
- FA Cup 2001, 2006 (Liverpool)
- League Cup 2001, 2003
- UEFA Cup 2001
- European Golden Boot 1998
- Ballon d'Or 2001
- FIFA World Cup hat-trick vs Germany 2001
- Champions League 2004
- La Liga 2007
- Premier League 2011
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 1997–2004 | 216 | 118 | #9 |
| Real Madrid | 2004–2005 | 152 | 64 | #19 |
| Newcastle United | 2005–2009 | 96 | 27 | #10 |
| Manchester United | 2009–2013 | 52 | 17 | — |
| Stoke City | 2013–2013 | 8 | 1 | — |
 England | — | 89 | 40 | — |