He could have been the best in the world but Owen to injuries he wasn't.
This week Michael Owen announced he's retiring from the beautiful game. Sadly I read on twitter someone had written, 'I thought you'd retired a few years ago,' to say he's been blighted by injuries wouldn't be doing the former Anfield favourite any justice.
The immense talent, he had first come to light on the International scene when he was a just eighteen years old. A hat trick as England took apart Germany and won by five goals to just one.
The whole world knew who he was and he became a marked man. He carried on scoring for fun and he joined the likes of Keegan, Rush and Fowler as a Kop Legend. In two thousand and one he won the Ballon d'Or, he was on top of his game.
His love affair with the red half of Merseyside came to an end when he moved to Spanish giants Real Madrid; that's where I think it started going wrong.
He was in and out of the side through injuries and form; he looked like a fish out of water.
After a year to forget he came back to England and signed for North East giants Newcastle. Again injuries were always stopping him from showing the world what talent he really had.
After four injury hit years and Newcastle were relegated, Owen became a 'free agent'.
I think it took many by surprise that he signed for one of Liverpool's biggest rivals, Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson got him on a 'pay as you play' deal. In three years at Old Trafford he made thirty one appearances, scoring just five goals.
His final contract as a player is for a year with Stoke City. Once again injuries have restricted the man from Chester and he hasn't really made an impact.
I really feel he could have been one of the very best in the world for a long time but for injuries; I suppose with such talent you also have to accept the curse of injury.
The game of football is the loser here and we've all been given a kick in the balls.