Michael Owen reflects on his transfer to Real Madrid from Liverpool: ‘That white kit, that incredible stadium’

Michael Owen reflects on his transfer to Real Madrid from Liverpool: ‘That white kit, that incredible stadium’ The Galacticos era at Real Madrid remains one of the most fascinating periods in the club’s history and laid the foundations for its future. With some of the biggest names in football sharing the same dressing room, the Santiago Bernabeu became a destination that established European stars found difficult to resist. Former Los Blancos striker Michael Owen spoke about his unexpected move from Liverpool in 2004. Owen reveals why he could not resist Real Madrid Owen spoke about being torn between the excitement of joining Real Madrid and the pain of leaving his boyhood club. “The last thing I thought was that I was going to leave Liverpool,” Owen admitted in an interview with FourFourTwo, as quoted by AS . He recalled receiving a phone call from his agent during Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States, while sharing a room with Jamie Carragher. His teammate immediately warned him against the move. “Don’t go. They have Raul, Ronaldo and Fernando Morientes. You won’t play a minute!” Carragher told him. Michael Owen during his time at Real Madrid. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) However, Owen admitted that the prospect of representing Real Madrid was simply too attractive to turn down. “The Galacticos , that white kit, everyone coming out onto the pitch strutting around like angels, that incredible stadium, a different culture,” Owen recalled. The former Ballon d’Or winner admitted that accepting Real Madrid’s offer did not come without an immediate emotional reaction. “I remember crying my eyes out on the way to the airport, thinking: ‘What am I leaving behind?'” he revealed. Owen’s Real Madrid spell deserves greater recognition Owen spent just one season at the Santiago Bernabeu before returning to England to play for Newcastle United. His spell has never been remembered among Real Madrid’s greatest success stories. However, his individual numbers were respectable. He scored 13 goals in 36 La Liga appearances, despite starting only 20 matches, and finished with 16 goals across all competitions. There is a parallel between Trent’s and Owen’s time at Real Madrid. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) There is an interesting parallel between Owen’s decision to join Real Madrid and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision a season ago. Although the moves happened two decades apart, the right-back also had to make the difficult decision to leave his boyhood club, Liverpool, to sign for the Spanish giants. Much like Owen during his stint, Trent has struggled for minutes at the club, and it looks like his Los Blancos spell might not last long . Regardless, the English legend’s words showcase how no player can say no to Real Madrid, irrespective of the circumstances. Playing for Los Blancos continues to be as prestigious today as it was 20 years ago, and that will always be the club’s legacy.