The best tweets following Michael Owen’s announcement that he will retire from professional football at the end of this season.
Betfair kick us off with this philosophical musing…
I’m partly sad because Michael Owen is retiring, and partly sad because eventually we all die. To be honest, it’s mostly the latter.
— Betfair Poker (@Betfairpoker) March 19, 2013
It wouldn’t be a twitter post with a comment from Joey Barton.
@themichaelowen top 3. 1. Argentina mazey. 2. Hat-trick against Germany. 3. Ruining Arsenals FA cup.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) March 19, 2013
The unknown Scott Thompson chips in with a gag about Owen’s passion for horse racing (we doubt he came up with it)…
Michael Owen put out to stud.
— Scott Thompson (@thommohawk24) March 19, 2013
Social media kings (and bookmakers) Paddy Power have their say.
NEWS FLASH: Michael Owen to walk away from football at the end of the season…hope he has some crutches!
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 19, 2013
Paul Hayward, chief sports writer at the Daily Telegraph, paid tribute to Owen.
Cheap shots will abound re @themichaelowen retirement. But he was a great England player and a model pro, as Sir Alex Ferguson will tell you
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) March 19, 2013
Sportsmail’s Phil Gradwell felt Owen could have achieved so much more…
Michael Owen should really now be England’s top scorer by miles. Real shame
— Philip Gradwell (@GraddersOnline) March 19, 2013
Opta hit us with some stats.
150 – @themichaelowen is one of only eight players to have scored 150 goals in the Premier League. Retirement.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 19, 2013
The Daily Mirror went with this line, which did tickle me, I must admit.
BREAKING! @themichaelowen has come out of retirement to announce he will be retiring at the end of the season
— MirrorFootball (@MirrorFootball) March 19, 2013
More Owen stats, this time via the Premier League.
.@themichaelowen‘s Barclays Premier League record: 323 appearances, 150 goals. More here: bit.ly/OwenProf
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 19, 2013
The BBC’s chief football writer felt that criticism of Owen was unjust.
Hearing lots of Twitter talk of @themichaelowen & “unfulfilled” career – Liverpool, Man Utd, Real Madrid, England, Ballon d’Or. Unfulfilled?
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) March 19, 2013
Stoke teammate Charlie Adam paid tribute to his mate.
Just seen the news @themichaelowen to retire. What a top player and also a top guy. Pleasure to say played in same team. #finendandy
— Charlie Adam (@Charlie26Adam) March 19, 2013
The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Kelso remembered arguably Owen’s finest moment.
Farewell then Michael Owen. St Etienne 98 last moment of pure exhilaration watching an England player. Only Rooney ’04 has come close since
— Paul Kelso (@pkelso) March 19, 2013
The unknown Andre had this to stay, which raised a smile.
He may retire from football, but he can still play rugby at Stoke. @themichaelowen
— Andre . (@AaronLennon10) March 19, 2013
And finally, it all got too much for the man himself.
I’m overwhelmed. So many nice messages. Having known it for a while I thought I would be ok. Reduced to tears watching @skysportsnews!
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) March 19, 2013
COMMENTS