This week, following his appointment as a FIFA World Cup columnist for the Daily Mail, Owen was interviewed by the media and reflected on his FIFA World Cup experiences.

It is widely believed that England's Golden Generation failed to win trophies due to internal factionalism within the squad and tensions over seating arrangements at dinner tables.

"It's funny because over the last six months, this narrative about us players not getting along has resurfaced, and when I heard rumors about Ferdinand saying he and Gerrard never saw eye to eye, I nearly fell off my chair."

"I can't wait to meet Ferdinand or Gerrard and ask them: 'Is this actually true?' I started questioning myself, thinking: 'Surely I wasn't that oblivious back then?'"

"Look, we did have a Manchester United table during meals – that's undeniable – but did I hate any of them? Of course not! Come on, let's be honest and discuss why we didn't win anything."

Reflecting on the three FIFA World Cups he participated in between 1998 and 2006, England was eliminated in the quarter-finals in all three tournaments.

"Glenn Hoddle had the most underrated and overlooked football intelligence this country has ever seen. I genuinely believe if he had coached that squad – the 'Golden Generation' – it would have been the perfect match. He was truly brilliant."

"Against top opponents, we barely created a shot during Eriksson's tenure. In 2002 against Brazil, we lost 1-2, and they were down to ten men for the final half hour."

"Even then, we couldn't get a shot on target – not a single clear chance. For a FIFA World Cup quarter-final, it was the most disappointing match I've ever seen. Our tactical awareness was dreadful."

"Of course, some will say formation doesn't matter, that it's all about the players, but I completely disagree. I've experienced this too many times on the pitch, thinking: 'How are we supposed to beat them? Their formation is so well-organized you can't even see a passing lane.'"

"Even my goal, which put us 1-0 up, was just a desperate chip, and it was an opponent's error that gave me the chance. My goal against Portugal in the Euro 2004 quarter-final came from a long ball by David James that bounced off an opponent."

"To be clear – we were playing long balls! Not because we wanted to, but because we had too few midfielders and were stuck in a rigid 4-4-2 formation. Everyone says Gerrard and Lampard couldn't play together, but that's rubbish. Honestly, whenever we faced a strong team, all we did was launch long balls to Heskey."

"We were strong, but we still got knocked out by the defending champions. Brazil's full-backs were Cafu and Carlos, ours were Mills and Ashley Cole. Their three strikers were Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Ronaldo."

"And we only had Owen and Heskey! Do you see what I mean? I can't help but laugh. We were arrogant back then, thinking we deserved to win, but I believe if Hoddle had been in charge, our chances would have been much better."

Back then, Hoddle didn't allow you to see your family during the FIFA World Cup, whereas Tuchel now allows players to visit their families and occasionally leave the training camp.

"I'd be embarrassed to say, 'Oh, the old days were so tough and boring,' because playing for England is everyone's dream. But the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France was genuinely difficult."

"We didn't have mobile phones, Glenn didn't want us playing golf, and we weren't allowed to see our families. You could only see them 200 meters away on a hill, where there was just one kiosk. No newspapers, no TV. I liked Glenn, but he was obsessive about discipline."

"We all know we had to eat rice, boiled potatoes, pasta, and boiled chicken, but we weren't even allowed a drop of sauce or ketchup. Every meal was identical. There was a huge banner in the dining room that said 'Chew Slowly.'"

"The idea was that the more thoroughly food was chewed and digested, the less energy blood would need to break it down. Our French doctor prescribed nutritional supplements for all of us – we also took pills and creatine. We put ourselves in peak condition."

"It was all well and good, but there was absolutely no downtime. What Tuchel is doing now in Kansas is exactly what the team needs: relaxed, enjoyable evenings to fully unwind. You won't get drunk, but you'll find a different headspace."

At the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, there was the opposite extreme, where England's WAGs attracted more attention than the players themselves.

"It was completely different from the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France! The most ridiculous thing is that even when I had chances back then, I barely cared. I never went near them."

"I was still brainwashed at that point! But I told my wife: 'Don't get caught dancing on tables.' Seriously, it would have bothered me. Fortunately, she was very sensible, and I made sure she avoided that madness."

Were you suggesting she avoid Carragher's family?

"Exactly!"

That was also your last major tournament. In the first minute of the final group match, you suddenly twisted your knee and tore your anterior cruciate ligament.

"Losing everything in an instant – that was too much to accept. Just like that, without any warning, life was turned upside down."

In 1998, you scored against Argentina.

"I've never watched my own matches. The only time I've watched the goal I scored against Argentina was when someone forced me to. I don't even know if my kids have ever seen it."

Why?

"In Roy Keane's words: 'It's just my job!' Of course, I'm incredibly proud of what I achieved. That goal made me understand how the FIFA World Cup magnifies everything."

"Scoring against Bournemouth on a Saturday was amazing, but scoring like that at the FIFA World Cup completely changed my life. I went from a domestic star to an international star."

"As for that goal, it was pure instinct. All I was thinking about was taking on those defenders. I wasn't afraid at all. I knew what I was capable of."

"Once I found my shooting position, a chip like that wasn't difficult for me – which is why I'd never let Scholes take that goal away from me!"

"Of all the moments in my career – the Ballon d'Or, the 2001 FA Cup final – my goal against Argentina remains the most memorable. Wherever I go in the world, people say: 'I clearly remember where I was when you scored that goal.'"

You then scored a penalty in the shootout.

"When you play for your club, it's enjoyable, but if you miss a chance, you might score a hat-trick a few days later. But when you play in the FIFA World Cup, you know one mistake could haunt you for four years."

"The impact is so massive that you can't help but think about it. It can make or break you. I've taken many penalties in my life, and I'm always nervous. But when I stepped forward for that penalty for England, I felt something I'd never felt before. My mind was flooded with negative thoughts."

"I'd just scored a brilliant goal, felt invincible, the whole world was going mad, and I was still thinking: 'Oh no, if I miss, I'll have to appear in a pizza advert with a paper bag on my head.' That's not like me; playing for England really changes you."

For FIFA World Cup newcomers like Elliott Anderson, Nico O'Reilly, and Guehi, this might not be what they want to hear.

"I told myself: 'This is my game, my sport. I've trained my whole life, and if I could win 10 times, I'd be thrilled. One billion people are watching this live, not half a billion. I know I can do something special here.'"

"Even if you put me on a golf tee, I wouldn't want a single person watching. I'd rather 3 billion people watch me play football than just 3 people watch me play golf."

"So from that perspective, I don't believe pressure holds you back. What an incredible opportunity these players have now! Seize it! I really wish I could still be in that position to show the world what I could do!"

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.