Michael Owen refuses to give up on England dream
Manchester United striker Michael Owen has revealed that he has not given up on his hopes of once again featuring for the England national team.
The 30-year-old has failed to feature for his country since a 1-0 defeat away to France in March 2008. He has struggled to become a part of coach Fabio Capello’s plans since the Italian took over two years ago, but the former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward
may only make a return to the England set-up if he begins to play regularly for his club.
He told the Daily Mirror that, “I haven't resigned myself to never playing for England again. But I'm not stupid enough to get myself worked up before every time (England) squad's announced and then go 'oh no, the world's caved in and I'm not in
it again'. Everyone deals with things in different ways. The first time I wasn't named in the squad, I was really gutted. The second time I was pretty gutted, the next time I was just gutted and so on.”
Owen added that being left out of so many squads had become a little easier with time, but he still had hopes of adding to his 89 caps.
“I'd love to play for my country again, but I don't look out for the squad expecting my name to be in it, unless someone phones me to tell me otherwise."
Owen made his international debut in February 1998 at the age of 18. He made such an impact that he was included for the squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He went on to appear in the UEFA 2000 European Football Championship, 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004,
scoring in all three tournaments. He has scored the fourth-highest number of goals for England of any player.
He also received the Ballon d’Or in 2001 after guiding Liverpool to the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and Football League Cup.
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