Back to the future

It's been almost ten years since David Beckham and Michael Owen took the world by storm and announced themselves on the international scene at the World Cup in France '98.
Now, almost a year since they last defended the three lions together, they will have the opportunity to do it again. They will do so in England's first match at the new Wembley stadium, and as if that wasn't enough, it will be against the mighty Brazil. This could be the turning of a new page in the careers of both players, as English football embarks on a whole new chapter.
Their stories have been very different over the last year. Owen has barely kicked a ball since his serious knee injury at last summer's World Cup, and he will be looking at this as the perfect opportunity to kick start his career once again. Newcastle Utd fans will be hoping that this is the start of an injury free run for Owen, who has yet to figure prominently for them in the two years since his multi million pound move from Real Madrid. In fact, Owen is now reaching the years when a player should reach his peak, so hopefully the best is yet to come from the former European Football of the Year.
Beckham on the other hand has remained injury free, yet his luck has been little better. Dropped by new England coach Steve McClaren shortly after the World Cup, he was practically discarded by fabio Capello and told he would never play for Real Madrid again after announcing his proposed summer move to M.L.S. team Los Angeles Galaxy. Not withstanding, through a combination of great team spirit, hard work and dedication he has forced his way back into the Real first team, and become a prominent figure in their late title surge. After a series of unconvincing England performances, McClaren has bowed to public pressure and recalled the golden boy. His is the kind of attitude and professionalism that could not be ignored.
These two superstars have always shown great hunger and desire when pulling on the England shirt, and now have the perfect chance to show the nation and the world that they are far from finished. Could they be enough to turn England’s faltering European Championship qualifying campaign? They have been England’s saviors on many occasions in the past, and once again they will be looked towards to brighten England’s footballing future.