On the day Michael Owen confirms this season will be his last as a professional footballer Twitter has predictably gone into meltdown, as the great and the good have their say on one of England's greatest ever goalscorers...
Tuesday 19 March 2013 13:12, UK
We gather together the best of what Twitter has had to say on Michael Owen's retirement plans.
Michael Owen to retire from football at the end of the season #SSN
- Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 19, 2013
Big day today. I have decided that this will be my last season as a professional footballer. Full statement here: michaelowen.com
- michael owen (@themichaelowen) March 19, 2013
23 - No player has ever reached 100 Premier League goals at a younger age than @themichaelowen did (23y 134d). Prodigy.
- OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 19, 2013
Michael Owen to retire at the end of the season. One of England's greatest goal scorers, and a good bloke too. Wish him well.
- Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 19, 2013Trending
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@themichaelowen top 3. 1. Argentina mazey. 2. Hat-trick against Germany. 3. Ruining Arsenals FA cup.
- Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) March 19, 2013
"@joey7barton: @themichaelowen top 3. 1. Argentina mazey. 2. Hat-trick against Germany. 3. Ruining Arsenals FA cup."That's mine too!
- michael owen (@themichaelowen) March 19, 2013
A young Michael Owen interviewed at Lilleshall by BBC's Activ8 (spot the other future pros) theworldofsport.tumblr.com/post/457464126...
- James Dart (@James_Dart) March 19, 2013
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
8 - Michael Owen is one of only eight players to score hat-tricks for more than one club in the Champions League. Trebles.
- OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 19, 2013
Always remember Sven-Goran Eriksson telling us after @themichaelowen hat-trick against Germany: "He's cold. He's a killer."
- Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) March 19, 2013
"Here's Owen. He could be away here ... Michael Owen ... Oh what a goal! This 18-year-old has electrified the world." youtube.com/watch?v=hPC6Yv...
- sportingintelligence (@sportingintel) March 19, 2013
I'm 5 days older than @themichaelowen, can't imagine having 2 retire from something I love doing. Big decision, done with the utmost respect
- Hayley McQueen (@HayleyMcQueen) March 19, 2013
That @themichaelowen goal was the moment I realised i wasn't going to make it as a footballer. #shattereddreams - great career.
- Max Rushden (@maxrushden) March 19, 2013
Well done Michael Owen, a fine career, blossomed so young - and now you're retiring and making us all feel old....!
- David Conn (@david_conn) March 19, 2013
150 - @themichaelowen is one of only eight players to have scored 150 goals in the Premier League. Retirement.
- OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 19, 2013
Congrats on a great career @themichaelowen .. 3 against the Germans will always live in the memory bank.... Well done
- Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 19, 2013
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