Despite the setbacks, he retired with 150 Premier League goals to go with a league trophy at Man Utd, as well as 40 goals in 89 games for England. He sits sixth in the list of all-time top goalscorers for his country.
He also became the first England player to score at four consecutive major international tournaments, a feat Harry Kane has the chance of surpassing at this summer's World Cup.
Flashscore's Tolga Akdeniz had the opportunity to speak to him about his incredible career, as well as hear his thoughts about the state of several of his former teams.
Flashscore: To start, let’s talk about your international career. You scored 40 goals for England and gave us unforgettable moments: that solo goal against Argentina at the World Cup, the hat-trick against Germany. How much did you enjoy representing England, and how did it compare to your club career?
Owen: "I loved playing for England. I started very young, at the first opportunity. I played for the U15s, then every age group, then the full team at 18. So, I went through the whole system, and I've always loved representing my country. There’s really no bigger honour in football.
"I also enjoyed my club career immensely, but playing for your country in major tournaments is the pinnacle. I was lucky enough to play in five major tournaments - three World Cups, two European Championships. Of course, you always wish you could have actually won one, but we had some incredible highs and lows.
"You mentioned the Argentina goal, quarter-finals against Brazil and Portugal, and the Germany hat-trick. These are amazing moments, and I absolutely loved my international career."
Looking back, is there a single moment representing England that stands out above the rest?
"I think the goal against Argentina, in hindsight, changed my life. Not just my football career, but everything off the pitch too. The whole world suddenly knew about me. Brands wanted me in their advertising, and I received sacks of fan mail every day from all over the world.
"That one moment, even now, wherever I go, South Africa, China, America, people remember that goal. They always tell me where they were when I scored it. So, yes, the Argentina goal was truly life-changing."
If we go to 2006, you suffered that terrible World Cup injury. That was during the era of England’s 'Golden generation'. Did you feel that injury changed the course of the tournament for England? Did it feel like a missed chance at a major trophy?
"I’m not sure my injury alone changed the whole outcome, but it was devastating. You have so much hope and expectation as you go further in the tournament, then suddenly, with one injury, it’s all over. It’s tough to take when your life changes in an instant.
"As for that generation, yes, we had an excellent team, but there were other great teams around, too. France in '98, for example, won the World Cup and were amazing. Brazil knocked us out in 2002, and look at the players they had. Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho.
"You have to recognise, it’s not as if we had a divine right to win. We were really good, but so were others."
You truly were the definition of a 'wonderkid' back then - Golden Boot as a teenager, starring for England. Did the expectations or pressure ever feel like too much for you, or did it always just feel natural?
"No, it never became too much. I always say, to me, scoring goals was just what I did. It was my job. People often ask about pressure, but for me, it was just normal. Like anyone in their profession, that’s what I practised and what I knew, so to others it might seem special, but to myself, it was just the standard.
"Pressure only comes when you’re out of your comfort zone, but for me, scoring goals was always my comfort zone."
Later in your career, injuries became a bigger challenge. But you still accomplished more than most. Any regrets, or thoughts of what might have been different?
"Of course, it’s hard not to wonder sometimes, especially when you get questions like this, but I’m not someone who sits around dwelling on 'what ifs'. If I’d had modern surgery after my big hamstring injury at 19, maybe things would have been different.
"Without that setback, if I could’ve kept performing at my early level, I might have ended up with many more Golden Boots or Ballon d’Ors, maybe broken even more records. Usually, after a big injury, you never quite come back the same. Sometimes you’re lucky, but more often there is some decline.
"So yes, I could have accomplished even more, but I’m happy with what I achieved, and just try to get on with life as it is."
You’ve spoken about comfort with pressure and how things came naturally to you. But what about moving to Real Madrid? Did that feel like a step up, or was there any moment where it felt truly different or daunting?
"Joining Real Madrid is obviously a huge move, but I was coming from Liverpool, a massive club itself. It was interesting because I’d never changed clubs before. So moving to a different country, playing with new teammates, it was all very new. Suddenly passing to players in white shirts instead of red was odd!
"But I didn’t walk into that dressing room and feel out of place. I’d just won the Ballon d’Or a year or two earlier, so I felt I belonged among those great players."
That Madrid squad was famously called the Galacticos. When you look at today’s Real Madrid, with all the big names and some recent controversies, do you see similarities with your own experience?
"I wouldn’t say it’s exactly the same, but yes, Madrid has always had that culture, amazing players from everywhere. Any big dressing room will have its arguments, even fights sometimes, but a proper punch-up is rare.
"Our Galacticos side was the first real group of the absolute world's best all coming together at once. Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo, Beckham, Raul, Roberto Carlos... just boom, all together. So while Madrid always has top talent, I’d say our era marked the first time such a collection assembled at the same time."
Let’s talk about Liverpool. This season, after huge transfer spending and big expectations, it’s been a struggle. How do you see the team’s situation, and particularly Arne Slot’s position as manager?
"For Slot, it’s extremely rare for Liverpool fans to turn on their own manager, but I think right now a lot of fans would want a change. Liverpool normally don’t swap managers as often as other clubs, and Slot does have credit for winning the league and likely scraping Champions League football.
"But that’s not enough for Liverpool, it’s not just about finishing fourth. I think he’ll stay to start next season, but if results aren’t good in the first 10 or so games, pressure will really ramp up. As for the season overall, there are many reasons for the struggles.
"The team started in tragic circumstances with the loss of Diogo Jota, and no one knows how deeply that affected the group. They lost a number of key players, and the team that previously worked so well together changed a lot. Add injuries, questions about some signings, players needing time to gel, and confidence issues, it all has a cumulative effect.
"You can't blame any one thing, but Liverpool were below their own standards, and it’ll take a big reset over the summer to get back to where they need to be."
Speaking of signings - what did you make of the arrivals of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike? Both are expensive strikers for the same position. Was that the right call, or did it hurt the manager?
"I think Liverpool were set on Isak, but transfers are always complex. When there was doubt, they couldn’t risk not adding a striker since Jota, Darwin Nunez, and Luis Diaz were all gone. If they waited on Isak, Newcastle could have asked for an even higher price. Once Ekitike was in, the Isak deal came at a more reasonable fee.
"In the end, Ekitike’s probably been the signing of the season for Liverpool. But to bring in two strikers for the same position while only replacing two of three departed forwards leaves the squad thin, especially with no real Mohamed Salah replacement. Plus, the changes at both fullback slots and the impact on the core of the attack all had a big effect this season."
Newcastle too have had a tough season, Eddie Howe’s facing scrutiny. What do you make of their striker signings and overall progress under Howe?
"The new strikers haven’t really worked out, and even after spending so much, Newcastle probably still need a centre-forward. Replacing Isak was always going to be a step down, especially late in the window when prices skyrocket. Sometimes, your hands are just tied by the situation.
"But I have huge respect for Eddie Howe. When he left Bournemouth, I worked with him on television. He’s incredibly intelligent, a fantastic tactician, and a genuinely great guy. Newcastle have made great progress with him: reached the Champions League, won a trophy.
"One tough season doesn’t change that. If Newcastle fans want to change managers, I won’t have much sympathy. Howe would be snapped up instantly by another big job if he left, even the England job."
To finish, let’s talk Manchester United, specifically Michael Carrick. It now looks like United are going to keep him as manager. Is that the right decision?
"For me, it’s absolutely the right decision. United have been poor, really poor, for over a decade, and that includes managers with proven records. They’ve tried everything: ex-players, managers with big reputations, new young managers, and nothing has worked.
"Now, with Carrick, they have someone who understands the club, is calm, gets the football, and crucially, is getting results. Who in their right mind would say, “Thanks, but no thanks,” after he’s turned things around and got them into the Champions League?
"If next season starts badly, you can change again, but right now, why break what’s finally working? It just baffles me that people would want to change when things are finally going well."