Michael Owen profile
The 26-year-old has done it time and time again at every level, and he shows no signs of losing that touch in front of goal - which many believe is just a God-given talent.
Although a foot injury has meant that he has hardly played this calendar year, if he is anywhere near fully fit he will still be able to pop up with the crucial goals in the big games.
After joining Liverpool as a trainee, Owen netted 23 goals in his first full season, and he set the tone for his career as he had started his scoring exploits with a goal on his debut against Wimbledon in the 1996/97 season.
Owen made his England debut at the age of 18 against Chile at Wembley in February 1998, and he became England's youngest goalscorer at the time when scoring against Morocco that May.
Glenn Hoddle took him to the World Cup in France, and his goal as a substitute against Romania saw him become England's youngest ever scorer in a World Cup.
Owen's defining moment came in England's second round tie with Argentina when he scored a wonder goal that summed up his pace, dribbling and finishing skills, instantly making him one of the hottest strikers in the world.
After the disappointment of England's penalty shoot-out defeat, Owen continued to bang in the goals week-in, week-out for Liverpool, with 2001 being another landmark year for him.
His late two-goal FA Cup final blast against Arsenal in Cardiff gave Liverpool the trophy in what was an historic Treble that season for Gerard Houllier's side, including the League Cup and a thrilling Uefa Cup final win over Alaves.
2001 also saw Owen land the European Footballer of the Year award for his goalscoring exploits as he bagged 25 goals throughout the campaign.
September of that year saw yet another landmark performance from Owen, and one which will live long in the memory of England fans, as he bagged a hat-trick as The Three Lions destroyed old foes Germany 5-1 on their own turf.
Owen scored twice in the 2002 World Cup but could not stop England going out to Brazil, a scenario which was repeated in Euro 2004 in Portugal as he scored against the hosts but saw his country lose on penalties yet again.
At home Owen seemed to be stalling on a new Liverpool contract and the arrival of Rafa Benitez saw him head out of Anfield to join Real Madrid for a bargain £8 million.
13 goals from 20 starts showed Owen had not lost his goalscoring touch, but he was too often used as a substitute and after just one season in the Spanish capital he was on his way back to England.
Liverpool fans were desperate for an Owen return but Newcastle's £17 million move priced them out of the market and he headed to St James' Park to join The Magpies.
Although his season has been hit by injury, seven goals in 11 games show just why The Magpies splashed out such a fee, as a fit Owen guarantees goals.
Injury has threatened to scupper his World Cup but, if fit, Owen will be a major weapon and is always likely to pop up with a goal.
Owen's build-up play has evolved after a year in Madrid, but goals are his game, as he proved in the Geneva friendly against Argentina where he was on the periphery for 87 minutes but popped up with two goals - a display which sums up Owen.
