Michael J. Owen

Michael Owen was born in Chester, Cheshire England on December, 14, 1979. Michael Owen inspired me to keep trying and playing soccer even when you're losing and to not let an injury put you out of the game forever. He has had lots of injuries but recovered from them, not letting them take him out of the sport. His team might be losing but he will not give up even when it looks like they can’t win.

Michael started playing for a soccer team in a ten-and-over league when he was six. He broke all scoring records in his first season. He went to Hawarden High School when he was 13 and was then transferred to FA’s school of excellence at Lillishall in Shopshire. After talking to numerous English premier teams, he decided to join Liverpool at the age of 14. He studied at lots of schools and achieved 10 GCSE’s.

Michael started playing on Liverpool’s youth training scheme when he graduated at the age of 16. Michael helped Liverpool win the FA Youth CUP in 1996 which led him into being signed to the senior team after signing professional forms just after his 17th Birthday. Michael had his first appearance for Liverpool in May, 1997 against Wimbledon as a substitute and scored a goal. Robbie Fowler was injured and while healing was replaced by Michael who tied for most goals at the end of the season and was voted the PFA Young Player of the year.

Michael helped Liverpool win the 2001 FA Cup Final against Arsenal when they where losing 1-0, Owen scored 2 goals in the last few minutes to make the game 1-2. Michael also helped Liverpool have their most successful year in many years with Liverpool winning the League Cup, FA Cup and the UEFA Cup. After winning those cups Liverpool was allowed to play in the Charity Cup, and the European Super Cup which they won both cups beating Manchester United for the Charity Cup and beating Bayern Munich in the Euro Super Cup. Michael won the European Footballer of the Year award and was the first English player in 20 years to win the award and was the first Liverpool player to win it.

Michael was injured in the 1999-2000 season and out for lengthy periods but still helped Liverpool qualify for the UEFA Cup. Michael also suffered from hamstring problems in the run-up to the EURO 2000. Michael broke the metatarsal bone in his foot in December 2005 and had 2 surgeries on his foot but eventually came back for the World Cup in 2006 after having x-rays on his foot. In the 2006 World Cup he injured his anterior cruciate ligament which put him out of the English premiere for almost the whole season. He came back in April 2007 in a friendly against Gretna and scored in the first 10 minutes. Michael plays for Newcastle and is playing in the regular season now. (INFORMATION WAS FROM Michael Owen WIKIPEDIA}