The 33-year-old forward, who announced his retirement on Tuesday, claimed his strike in Saint-Etienne was the best goal of his career

Stoke striker Michael Owen believes his goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup changed his life.

The 33-year-old former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United forward announced on Tuesday that he will hang up his boots at the end of the current campaign.

Under a wave of sentiment following the declaration of his retirement, the former England international has described the goal in Saint-Etienne against the Albiceleste as the defining moment of his career.

“It definitely changed my life. I don’t think it changed me as me, but to the outside world and people looking at me it just brought a lot more scrutiny and it announced me to the world of football,” he reflected to twentyfour7 Magazine. “In that way it changed my life.”

Owen went on to state that although it faces stiff competition, the goal also means the most to him on a personal level.

“Scoring the goal in the Manchester derby to win 4-3 was a huge adrenaline rush, scoring two goals against Arsenal in the FA Cup final was a huge adrenaline rush and my hat-trick in Germany was special,” he continued.

“But if I had to pick one, it would be my goal against Argentina.”