But as he explained his dreams and hopes for the future, Owen didn’t miss the chance to underline his annoyance at critics who have claimed he can only score goals with his right foot.

Owen said: ‘‘It’s nice to prove people wrong when they say you haven’t got a left foot. I was supposed to be the worst header and the worst player with my left foot in the league, and how could an England player play when they haven’t got a left foot.

‘‘I haven’t counted, but I’ve scored a lot with my left and my head this season more than other seasons put together.

‘‘It does go to show that I have improved and I am improving.’’

And he added: ‘‘I did get frustrated. There are certain things I can do with my right better than my left, but I know I can strike a decent ball in front of goal with my left, so I’m pleased.

‘‘Was it as good as the one against Argentina? I don’t really care about that, but it was one of my better goals because it was so important.’’

The fact, too, that he was given a full 90 minutes in a frustrating match when chances just didn’t arrive until those dying minutes, was also a point to be made to England managers who have insisted on taking him off when things haven’t been going well.

Owen said: ‘‘All you can do is prove things to people like I’ve done in this final. If any manager in any cup competition for England in European Championships can leave you to play 90 minutes, you can prove that you can score as easily in the first as in the 90th.

‘‘Robbie Fowler is the same. Give him half a yard and he will score. It’s hard to take a player like that off because you know they can get you back into the game.’’

Owen, having made his point about the past, then looked to the future and his dream of playing in the Champions League, something Liverpool will achieve if they can win their last league game at Charlton on Saturday, three days after their UEFA Cup final in Dortmund against Alaves.

Owen has no doubts which is the more important match for Liverpool’s ambitions - the trip to the Valley!

He said: ‘‘I’d have thought that the Charlton game is now the most important. It would be great having a nice break in the summer thinking that we have a load of big games to come in the Champions League next season.

‘‘Champions League means a great deal to me, every top player in the world is playing in it. If I want to regard myself in a certain way, I have to play in the Champions League.

‘‘I’ve still got a load of years to go and I hadn’t won any medals before this season and now I’ve got two, so I know it will come. I will play in the Champions League, I just hope we can get it this year.’’

And with ambition burning through Owen’s sparkling eyes, he laid it on the line about domestic titles, too. ‘‘The league title is what I want. Personally I’d want to win the league before trying to conquer Europe.

‘‘The table never lies and Manchester United have shown they are among the best in Europe. If you win a title over 38 games it proves you are the best team in England and among the best in Europe.

‘‘We’ll look at the championship race next season, but I don’t think United will win it by as many points as they have this season. It’s disappointing for everyone involved trying to catch them, it’s been a non-event from early on, but it will be a lot closer next season.’’

Owen is aware that United have won a treble of their own, the better one in everyone’s eyes.

But Owen is now focused on Alaves and Wednesday’s date with destiny, victory bringing what will still be a treble.

He said: ‘‘If we win the treble I won’t care about people saying it’s the junior treble and United got the real one. I will have three medals and a lot of people have had great careers and never won anything, but I have.’’