Michael Owen is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker from 1996 to 2013. He played for clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Real Madrid and Stoke City. From 1998 to 2008, he was a player in the national team of England. In 2001, M. Owen became the owner of the Golden Ball. After completing his football career, he became a jockey - he successfully performs at various major tournaments.
Biography
Michael Owen was born on December 14, 1979. Michael is the son of former football player Terry Owen, who played in such English teams as Everton, Bristol City, Chester and others. Father acted as a striker. Throughout his career he spent 332 matches and scored 71 goals.
Michael Owen began his professional career in 1996. He went through the youth system of Liverpool and in May 1997 issued his debut goal for the main team.
Achievements in Liverpool
In the 1997/98 season, the player became a regular soccer player of the Reds' main squad - spent 36 matches and scored 18 goals, becoming the top scorer in the English Premier League. The following season, Owen repeated the result, but spent 30 matches. In the period from 1997 to 2004 he was the best “goalscorer” of the Liverpool team - for 297 matches he became the author of 158 goals. In 2001, he was recognized as the best football player in Europe, receiving the Golden Ball. Despite prolonged hamstring injuries, Michael Owen remained the best football player in the English championship.
In the “red” player became the owner of 6 trophies. In the 2000/01 season, the club achieved incredible results - the Premier League championship, the Football League Cup, the English Super Cup, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. The following season, the club celebrated a victory only in the Football League Cup. As one of the greatest football players, Michael Owen finished 14th on the Liverpool's Top 100 Players list. In 2004, M. Owen was included in the list of 100 best FIFA football players according to Pele.
Transition to Real Madrid
In 2004, the striker moved to Real Madrid for £ 8 million. He spent only one season with the galactos, in which he scored 13 goals in 36 matches. According to the results of the season, Real Madrid became the vice champion of Spain.
Career at Newcastle
In the 2005/06 season, Michael returned to England, where he signed a contract with Newcastle United for 17 million pounds. In the debut season for the new club, the player spends only 11 matches and draws 7 goals. At the 2006 World Cup, Owen is seriously injured in a match with the Swedish national team, as a result of which he flies for 18 months. In the 2008/09 season, the player returns to the squad, where he becomes the captain and top scorer of the team, however, the Newcastle general game was unsuccessful - a flight to the Championship.
Three seasons for Manchester United and retirement at Stoke City
In 2009, Michael joins the "Red Devils" as a free agent and gets here the seventh number, which was released after the departure of the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo. For three seasons at Old Trafford he played 31 matches and scored 5 goals. Career at the top club was already overwhelming for Owen, mainly because of injuries that constantly haunted him.
In September 2012, footballer Michael Owen moved to Stoke City, where he spent one season and ended his career. Owen is one of the greatest football players to score over 150 goals in the Premier League. He is also still considered the youngest player to reach 100 goals in the English Premier League. In March 2013, announced his retirement.