Michael Owen
The youngest England player and goalscorer at his debut, who scored in four consecutive major tournaments.
Michael Owen is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker for the England national team. He 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. He went on to score in UEFA Euro 2000, the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004. He was the first player to have scored in four consecutive major tournaments for England. 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.
- Role
- Striker
- Total Caps
- 89
- Goals Scored
- 40
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Owen's international career began with a record-breaking debut in 1998, when he became England's youngest player and youngest goalscorer. That summer, at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, his goal against Argentina—a run from the halfway line—catapulted him to national and international prominence. He became the first player to score in four consecutive major tournaments for England: Euro 2000, the 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004, and the 2006 World Cup. At the 2006 World Cup, he suffered an injury that took him a year to recover from. Occasionally playing as captain, he finished his England career with 89 appearances and 40 goals, of which 26 were in competitive matches—a record for England at the time of his retirement.
In Their Own Story
The rain slicked the pitch at Stade de France, but Michael Owen felt nothing but the rhythm of his boots. As the ball spilled loose near the halfway line, he didn't think; he reacted. In that split second, the weight of a nation's history seemed to lift, carried away on the wings of pure speed.
Reader's Guide
Michael 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, including a goal against Argentina in which he ran from the halfway line, brought him to national and international prominence. He went on to score in UEFA Euro 2000, the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004. He was the first player to have scored in four consecutive major tournaments for England. He played at the 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.
Did You Know?
- Owen became England's youngest player and youngest goalscorer at the time of his debut in 1998.
- He scored a famous goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, running from the halfway line.
- Owen was the first player to score in four consecutive major tournaments for England: Euro 2000, 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004, and 2006 World Cup.
- He scored 26 goals in competitive matches for England, a record at the time of his retirement.
- Owen occasionally played as captain for England.
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