Nostalgia, when Michael Owen joined Real Madrid

DBasia.news – August 14, 2004 was actually a special day for Michael Owen. It was on this day that the 24-year-old player was officially introduced as the new Real Madrid player at the Santiago Bernabeu. Owen officially became a player from Los Blancos.

At Real Madrid, Owen officially carried the number 11 given directly by Real legend, Alfredo Di Stefano. According to the contract, Owen will play for Los Blancos in the next five years. To attract Owen from Liverpool, Real Madrid had to spend eight million pounds plus Real midfielder, Antonio Nunez who was released to Anfield.

“Buenos dias a todos,” Owen said in his opening ceremony, which meant “Hello, everyone.”

“My father mentioned the greatness of the Real Madrid team in the 1960s. He said Stefano and Ferenc Puskas were two extraordinary strikers,” stated Owen as reported by AFP at that time.

“I am very proud to use the number 11. I thank you for welcoming me to Madrid. I also want to thank senor Real President (Florentino Perez) who gave me the opportunity to play with the best team in the world.

Although since childhood he has supported Everton, Michael Owen could have become a Liverpool legend. Especially after marking his debut with a goal against Wimbledon in 1997, Owen became the Reds’ main goal machine. Imagine, Owen’s entry was able to bring about a big change in the Liverpool squad. From 1998 to 2004, Owen was Liverpool’s top scorer every season.

Owen was not born a Scouser, but he was raised in the Liverpool academy system and gradually rose to enter the first team. No wonder Owen is already considered part of Liverpool by supporters. Owen himself is expected to become a legend who spent his career with one club, Liverpool FC.

Well, it all changed in 2004 when Owen’s contract with Liverpool had 12 months remaining. Owen chose to join David Beckham, who had already been part of Los Galacticos.

Los Blancos have long wanted Owen to complete the Los Galacticos project. Madrid president, Florentino Perez was eager to see Ronaldo da Lima and Owen become the deadliest duo in Europe. Owen’s first bid came in March 2002, but the player from Chester was reluctant to turn to others.

In Liverpool there is not much that can be done despite all the efforts to restrain the star. “I’m happy with Michael. I want him to stay. The problem is that he has one year left on his contract. Real Madrid started talking to his agent and in the end the situation became difficult to control,” said Rafael Benitez, Liverpool’s manager at the time.

Liverpool lost their flagship goal machine. Then what about Real Madrid? Did they obtain a new scoring machine?

Losing Liverpool’s Legend Status

As is known, Michael Owen’s adventure at Real Madrid did not go smoothly. Owen struggled, even to become the main striker of Los Blancos. Perez’s desire to see Owen and Ronaldo in a duet must be buried deep. For Owen to partner with Ronaldo, he must first get rid of Raul Gonzales. A very difficult mission, considering Raul is a figure loved by Madrid fans.

Even so, while at Madrid, Owen was still able to score 19 goals. However, one year after arriving in Madrid, Owen returned to England, joining Newcastle United. Later, Owen revealed he actually hoped to return to Liverpool, the club where he has scored 158 goals.

“It was not my intention to leave Liverpool. I always thought I would be a one-club man. I was in the United States undergoing the pre-season when the phone rang. My agent said Real Madrid wanted me. At that time I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.” explained Owen.

“One thing I regret from the decision to go to Madrid is that, after one year in Spain, I cannot return to my first team (Liverpool).”

Owen’s injury problems has made Newcastle United decide not to renew Owen’s contract when the 2008-2009 season ended. Owen had a fairly good fortune because Manchester United wanted to accommodate him. At that time, Owen was willing to join even though his salary was only paid per game.

Owen’s move to Man United caused a polemic in Liverpool. Those who previously considered Owen as a legend gradually resented Owen for being considered a traitor.

Steven Gerrard, in his book entitled “My Stori” did not deny this.

“I have to be honest that I was surprised when he (Owen) chose Manchester United. Michael enjoyed his legendary status at Liverpool, but that immediately evaporated when he decided to move to United. Only Michael knows that he made the right decision, “wrote Steven Gerrard in his book, My Stori.

With Man United, Owen endured two seasons which were mostly spent on the bench and in the treatment room. Until Man United ended their collaboration with Owen at the end of the 2011-2012 season. Owen then left for Stoke City and ended his career in 2013, at the age of 34.