When Michael Owen scored his remarkable hat-trick against Germany last week, he displayed the sort of behaviour that has helped turn him into a national hero. No sooner had the whistle blown on England’s historic 5-1 triumph in Munich than the 21-year-old was on the phone to his family, frantically sending text messages.

“He said he did it for England, for everyone back home,” said his older brother Andrew in a comment that endeared the soccer superstar to the British population even more.

Michael is one of the hottest properties not only in English but also international football, and he is already worth a cool £10 million. But his recent heroics, including the goal he scored against Albania at St James’s Park last week, will send his value soaring to new heights.

Predictably, some of his fortune is spent on fast cars, houses and holidays - for himself and his close-knit family. In July he treated his father Terry, mother Janette, girlfriend Louise Bonsall, four siblings and a close friend to an all-expenses paid holiday in Dubai.

Michael’s father, who was once a journeyman professional for Everton and who gave his son his first football, has been a guiding light to the football star. As Janette said: “Terry never made it to the top, so Michael is aware of the pitfalls. His forte is that he listens and learns.”

For more on football wonder boy Michael Owen, see this week’s HELLO! magazine, on sale now.