Michael Owen has opened up on the mental struggles he faced during the latter stages of his career, admitting he felt "embarrassed" by how his performances dipped
13:33, 04 Sep 2025
Michael Owen speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents
Michael Owen speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents(Image: Rio Ferdinand Presents)
Michael Owen has spoken about the mental anguish he endured as his injury-hit career spiralled downwards during his time at Manchester United.
The former England, Liverpool, Newcastle and United striker confessed he felt "embarrassed" by his dramatic decline in the twilight of his playing days, acknowledging it was "killing him inside". Owen exploded onto the scene as a teenage sensation at Liverpool, where his blistering pace and deadly finishing made him an instant hit.
He secured the Premier League's golden boot in his opening two full campaigns before announcing himself on the world stage with a memorable goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, aged just 18. However, following his crucial contribution to Liverpool's treble cup triumph in 2001, capturing the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup, which saw him crowned Ballon d'Or winner, he sealed a controversial transfer to Real Madrid in 2004 - leaving Liverpool for a cut-price £8million as his contract was running down.
Owen's Spanish adventure lasted just one season before his £16.8million move to Newcastle, where recurring muscle problems kept him on the treatment table for extended spells during his four-year stint in the North East. His injury nightmare persisted at Old Trafford and subsequently at Stoke City, ultimately forcing him to hang up his boots in 2013.
The 45-year-old recently turned up on the Rio Presents podcast, where his former Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand quizzed him about the stark contrast between elite-level football and everything else that follows. Instead, Owen looked back on his own playing days, revealing he sees his career as two completely separate chapters: before and after his injury woes struck, reports the Mirror.
Michael Owen with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2009
Michael Owen with Sir Alex Ferguson after signing for Manchester United(Image: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
The pundit revealed: "Well, I've said before, I mean, I sort of split my career into two. Almost Liverpool and maybe Madrid. And then afterwards, because I just wasn't the same. Not that I didn't like it. I loved it at United. I love you and the lads and whatever.
"But I'm not me. I'm not me. You know what I was when I was 18. And you know what I was when I was 30. It's like, I was half embarrassed. I'm coming out, they've been to these big stadiums, St James' Park, Old Trafford, with my name on my back.
"It's like, can I not just change my name and just think of something, like call me something else? I don't want people to remember me like this. Still good, still scoring. But I'm not what I was. It's killing me. But it's like, what can you do?".
Owen's stint at Liverpool witnessed him net more than 20 goals across all competitions in virtually every campaign bar two. After bagging 16 goals in 45 outings for Real Madrid, his tallies nosedived spectacularly as fitness problems piled up and his blistering speed faded away.
Reflecting on his time at Newcastle, United and Stoke, he openly admitted: "I had it for eight years, when I'm thinking, 'I don't like this.' I was looking at the clock half of my career, thinking only 20 minutes. And I could still score. I could still play well."
Article continues below
He continued: "I couldn't rip a team's heart out anymore. I could just finish if I get the opportunity. I'm relying on everyone else now. Whereas I used to be able to, I didn't need anyone else. Just give me the ball and I'll do it. And that change of mentality."
The striker revealed: "I didn't retire because of my body. I still played in a game the other day. I retired because my mind was about to explode. And I couldn't have it anymore that I was just a Premier League player."
Despite falling short of his own exacting standards, Owen's stint at Manchester United brought him a coveted Premier League medal in 2010/11, plus another League Cup triumph. He concluded his playing days with a remarkable tally of 222 goals in 482 matches, complemented by 40 strikes in 89 England caps.