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Michael Owen announces decision to retire at the end of the season

The 33-year-old, who burst onto the scene with Liverpool in 1997, is hanging up his boots.

STOKE CITY STRIKER Michael Owen has announced that he is to retire at the end of the season, calling time on a career which lasted 16 years.

“I now feel it is the right time to bring the curtain down on my career,” said Owen, 33, who has been limited to seven appearances for the Potters this season.

“I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a journey that like many young players starting out, I could only have dreamt of.”

Owen, one of only four English players to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, first burst onto the scene as a teenager with Liverpool in 1997 before moving on to spells with Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke.

He made his senior England debut against Chile in February 1998 and went on to star at the World Cup in France later that summer, grabbing global headlines with a sensational solo goal against Argentina in the second round.

YouTube Credit: Mr99mx

After helping Liverpool to three trophies in 2000/2001 he collected the Ballon d’Or, beating Raul and German goalkeeper Oliver Khan to the prize.

He signed a big-money move to Real Madrid’s Galacticos in 2004 but returned to England a season later when he agreed a move to Newcastle.

The latter years of his career — which included an unforgettable late winner for Manchester United against rivals Manchester City — have been hampered by injury and a lack of first-team football.

YouTube Credit: stani2829

In a short statement issued through his website, Owen thanked those who have worked with him throughout his career and paid a very special tribute to his father.

“None of this would have been possible without the tremendous support I have received from managers, coaches, fellow players, back room staff, the supporters and my own personal sponsors.”

He added: “Last but not least, my Dad. We did it my old mate! From those freezing local parks to terrorising the best defenders in the World on the biggest stages of all. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

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36 Comments
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    Mute David Speakman
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    Mar 19th 2013, 10:41 AM

    An amazing talent who’s career was hampered massively by injuries. You imagine that without these he would have achieved so much more and yet you still have to look at all he did achieve, ballon d’or, england’s 4th highest alltime goalscorer and played for some of the biggest clubs in the world.

    A likeable guy who always went about things professionally. No doubt we’ll see him as a pundit when he finds time away from the horses.

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    Mute Bret Maher
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    Mar 19th 2013, 11:02 AM

    I agree but he has taken a lot of money for just lying on the treatment table . .Beckham playing pro gratis for PSG . . No fear of that with Owen!

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    Mute Relevent?
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    Mar 19th 2013, 11:22 AM

    If you knew the facts…… Beckham isn’t taking a wage, because if he did he would be liable for a wealth tax which they implement in France, on his money, not just his earnings. I’m sure he gives plenty to charity, but in this case it makes monetary sense.

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    Mute Bret Maher
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    Mar 19th 2013, 11:50 AM

    Most of Beckham’ income comes from endorsements,it makes sense for him to play for the biggest CL side possible to keep those deals!He is not a resident in France,their fiscal law doesn’t apply!!

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    Mute Brian Moloney
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    Mar 19th 2013, 12:34 PM

    He’s on a pay if you play contract at Stoke. Same for Unite.

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    Mute Fergal Barry
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    Mar 19th 2013, 11:14 AM

    Owen league medals 1
    Gerard league medals 0

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    Mute Colm Meade
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    Mar 19th 2013, 12:59 PM

    Steven Gerrard European Cup 1

    Michael Owen European Cup 0

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    Mute jason stenson
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    Mar 19th 2013, 1:03 PM

    Gerrard champs league winners medal 1 Owen 0

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    Mute Adam Martin
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    Mar 19th 2013, 10:58 AM

    So now that Michael Owen is retiring I suppose he’s going to sit down, put his feet up and watch football from the sidelines…Errmmm

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    Mute William Scully
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    Mar 19th 2013, 11:05 AM

    His last 2 contracts have been heavily incentivised, so he hasn’t been collecting huge money when not contributing.

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    Mute Sam slade
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    Mar 19th 2013, 11:36 AM

    what has gerards medal tally got to do with anything? roger irrelevant. Owen could have been even better, still have that image of his knee falling apart in slow mo….ouch. The top striker in his day.

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    Mute jason stenson
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    Mar 19th 2013, 1:04 PM

    Coulda woulda shoulda

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    Mute Colm Meade
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    Mar 19th 2013, 11:35 AM

    Treacherous bellend

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    Mute brian lydon
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    Mar 19th 2013, 11:00 AM

    A lovely guy who is a great role model to all young Irish men

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    Mute Denzil
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    Mar 19th 2013, 2:46 PM

    His career ended when he left liverpool

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    Mute jason bourne
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    Mar 19th 2013, 11:14 AM

    Its obvious stoke werent gonna offer him another contract and there wasnt a chance of another premier league team taking a chance with his injuries.

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    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
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    Mar 19th 2013, 6:37 PM

    He’s too small for Stoke as well, bet he never got near those Delap throws.

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    Mute Shaun O' Higgins
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    Mar 19th 2013, 12:24 PM

    Great players dont leave Liverpool. His talent has never been in doubt but when he left Anfield he left something behind, a talent wasted, should have been a great.

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    Mute David O'Sullivan
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    Mar 19th 2013, 12:50 PM

    He left to win trophies and he played for the two biggest teams in the world… He made a decision to step up in class.

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    Mute Brian
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    Mar 19th 2013, 12:53 PM

    If great players don’t leave Liverpool how come Xabi Alonso went to Real Madrid? Or Mascherano to Barcelona?

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    Mute Gavin O'Connor
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    Mar 19th 2013, 1:24 PM

    The good that did him David, if he stayed at Liverpool he would have a Champions League medal that he would have been worthy of and the plaudits Carra got when he to decided to call it a day. Fact is he finishes his career with no particular fanbase endeared to him and lets face it at United he was nothing more than a joke to participate in one upmanship over Liverpool, I’m convinced thats the only reason why Ferguson bought him, I respect his opinion too much.

    His career started with so much promise and I hope he takes a minute every now then to wonder what could have been if he stayed with club that gave him everything instead of making bitter swipes about it at every opportunity.

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    Mute Colm Meade
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    Mar 19th 2013, 2:25 PM

    He left Liverpool to compete for the big tropies that season Liverpool won the champions league..
    He won 1 trophy… On the bench at united

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    Mute Alan Tormey
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    Mar 19th 2013, 5:57 PM

    Not too many great players seem to join them either!

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    Mute sportsmad
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    Mar 19th 2013, 7:31 PM

    He left Liverpool because he wanted to win the Premier League.

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    Mute Gavin O'Connor
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    Mar 19th 2013, 7:58 PM

    @sportsmad Bit of a strange one seeing as he went to Real. Didnt win anything.

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    Mute AUXRED
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    Mar 19th 2013, 11:22 AM

    Over rated.

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    Mute run amuck
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    Mar 19th 2013, 1:48 PM

    Unlucky with injuries but great player . .YNWA best of luck Michael .

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    Mute Bernard Cantillon
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    Mar 19th 2013, 11:56 PM

    I have no interest in soccer/football, however his retirement is personally noteworthy. I remember when he was a young player who the media and many of my friends were excited about. He is now retiring. That very young player is no longer young enough to play professional football. This tells me I have grown old. I am the same age. I find that slightly depressing

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    Mute Gary Walsh-Green
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    Mar 19th 2013, 1:25 PM

    Good player,couldve been one of the greats. I dont think owen was handled properly in his most crucial phase of development and suffered injury wise in the long term from having played too many games too early. Sad to see him finally retire.

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    Mute Sean Kelleher
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    Mar 19th 2013, 12:02 PM

    Who Michael Owen?

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    Mute K.Doran
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    Mar 19th 2013, 12:53 PM

    Nice grammar

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    Mute Padraig Stapleton
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    Mar 19th 2013, 11:26 AM
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    Mute whitey bolger
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    Mar 19th 2013, 3:51 PM

    Didn’t he retire about ten years ago?

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    Mute Alan Murphy
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    Mar 19th 2013, 10:03 PM

    Is the bench retiring too?

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    Mute Philip Scanlon
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    Mar 19th 2013, 11:09 PM

    His Liverpool career destroyed him. He was played when not fully fit and he believed he was better than he was ( he was very good) When he transferred to Real Madrid, he discovered he was not one of the best. His return to England coincided with his body finally giving up after his earlier decision to play before fully recovered after injury. As a United fan I always respected him as a good player, but he relied on his speed, once that went he was never the same again. Good luck to him.

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    Mute Sean Kelleher
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    Mar 19th 2013, 10:33 PM

    About as nice as your little sailor pose in your profile pic …..

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