The diminutive striker was breaking records from the age of eight at youth-team level and was still re-writing the history books when he made his Three Lions debut in 1998.

Owen was the youngest 20th Century player to win a full England cap when, at the age of 18 years and 59 days, he played against Chile, and he also became the youngest-ever goalscorer when he netted against Mexico in the build-up to the 1998 World Cup.

The youngster was forced to wait for his chance to shine in the subsequent tournament, but after a goal against Romania he became an overnight star across the globe with a sublime run and finish in the second-round clash with Argentina.

It is widely regarded as one of the best goals ever scored for England and perfectly highlighted Owen's electric pace and lethal finishing.

The goals continued to flow, both for club and country, until the next major milestone in Owen's England career - a stunning hat-trick against arch-rivals Germany in Munich to spearhead a 5-1 victory.

That also helped the Three Lions qualify for the 2002 World Cup Finals where once again Owen was the main goal threat and looked set to help Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad into the semi-final with an early goal against Brazil until the South Americans hit back after the break.

At Euro 2004 his goal against Portugal, although ultimately in vain as the Three Lions suffered another penalty shoot-out defeat, put him in the record books as the first England player to score in four major tournaments.

And a hat-trick in 2005 against Colombia in New Jersey ensured he moved ahead of Alan Shearer, Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse in the scoring charts - with only three players ahead of him and with time very much on his side.

But he admits he is aiming to ultimately overhaul Bobby Charlton as England's record goalscorer.

"Every goal I score from now on people will say is one less on the way to the record, but there is still a long way to go," he said after moving onto 32 goals.
"I'm into the 30s now which is nice, but Bobby Charlton has 49 which is a long way off. But you have got to aim high and that is what I am aiming for.

"If I fail to beat the record it won't be for the want of trying."

England Legends
Billy Wright
Nat Lofthouse
Peter Shilton
Alan Shearer
Ray Wilkins
Geoff Hurst
Jimmy Greaves
David Platt
Gary Lineker
John Barnes
Bobby Charlton
Tom Finney