18 Yard Box has a look at the English international's top 5 moments in his footballing career and pays a tribute to the former Liverpool star.
When a footballer mesmerises us with his breathtaking runs and inexplicable skills, its difficult for the fans to grasp the realisation that come next year he will not be seen on the football pitch ever again (playing wise). Its the same emotional feelings which the whole of the footballing fraternity is going through after the announcement of Michael Owen's retirement.
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| The pitch will miss him |
" It is with an immense amount of pride that I am announcing my intention to retire from professional football at the end of this season", were the words that rocked the fans as well as the players. Owen, who has had an injury troubled season, has been England's golden boy for quite sometime.
As a tribute to him, 18 Yard Box has a look at the 5 most important moments in the striker's career.
1. Owen- A new sensation (Liverpool's debut, 1997)
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| I am here |
Owen stole the limelight when he scored in the club's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Wimbledon. The game saw Liverpool handing United the title. But on the flip side they saw a star being born. From then on there was no looking back for the Reds hero.
2. World Cup '98- A night to remember (Owen's goal against Argentina)
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| An effort which brought the stadium to their feet |
Owen was known for his pace and excellent goal poaching abilities. And he showed why. Taking down a high ball, Owen outran his marker. With Scholes to his left, Owen showed that at an age of just 18 he can do what many footballing greats can. Selling a dummy past the last defender, Owen decided to go for goal from an acute angle and blasted the ball into the top corner. Although, England were knocked out on penalties, this goal is still remembered by his fans.
3. Treblled? Owen's here (FA Cup 2001 Final goal against Arsenal)
Arsenal were in pole position to grab the FA Cup title as Freddie Ljunberg's strike in the 72nd minute had rattled Liverpool. However, Liverpool called upon their number 10 and he responded in style. Pouncing on the ball from a free kick, Owen lashed a volley past David Seaman into the roof of the net to equalise for Liverpool. In the dying embers of the game it was Owen again who outran Lee Dixon, chasing a long ball, and finished superbly by unleashing a low drive with his left foot from an acute angle. Pandemonium broke loose when Owen struck the ball past his compatriot as Liverpool completed a treble that season.
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| A sumptuous volley followed by a brilliant finish saw Liverpool bag the FA Cup |
4. A start of an end- (Owen's injury, World Cup 2006)
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| Down and out |
Owen had declared himslef 'unfit' before the world cup. However, the former Newcastle striker was rushed back from a broke metatarsal and he undid himself in the group game against Sweden. Twisting awkawardly, Owen ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and in the process ruled himslef for almost an year. Owen never got back to his best following this injury and it took away his sizzling pace and pure panache.
5. Controversy galore- (The infamous goal against Manchester City, 2009)
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| The goal sprouted celebrations of joy |
Owen was one of the very few players who played for Liverpool and then went on to join Manchester United. The two teams share a history of rival and it was believed that Owen would take time to win over the United fans. But this did not take long as Owen scored in the 97th minute of the game against United's arch rivals, Manchester City, to hand them a memorable 4-3 victory. The goal, however, came in controversial circumstances as there were supposed to be just 5 minutes of added time. However, refree allowed the game to roll in the much dreaded 'Fergie time' and Owen capitalised on it.
Watch Owen's brilliance against Germany here
As the Ballon d'Or 2001 winner bows out of the professional scene, the whole world will still remember his heroics and his contirbutions to the world of football. He could easily be called as the 'Dark Knight' of English football.
Written By,
Rishabh Ghai
Rishabh is a writer for Goal.com India, International, contributor for AIS and a writer and editor for 18 Yard Box.
Follow Rishabh Ghai on Twitter
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