Michael Owen to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Owen fans. Speculation had been rife that Ballon d’Or winner of 2001 is about to announce his retirement from sports, at age 46, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 23/05/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a footballer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a footballer-television host just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouMichael

For a little while on Friday evening, #ThankYouMichael was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Michael Owen was unlike any other footballer we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouMichael”
— @universalObserver, 22 May 2026

“I thought Michael Owen retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 22 May 2026

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