Football legend makes shock appearance in Egypt to star in new movie - despite previously claiming that he HATES the cinema

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Football legend Michael Owen has been pictured in Egypt as he prepares to embark on a new venture as an actor. 

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid star has been a regular pundit on TNT Sports since hanging up his boots in 2013 and is also big in the world of horse racing. 

But it seems the 44-year-old is ready to enter a surprise new industry as he prepares to hit the big screen and star in El Hareefa 2.

An image on X emerged on Wednesday which showed Owen arriving in Cairo - with a big smile across his face - as he prepares for the new challenge. 

After pictures of Owen were spotted, fans also found a picture of the movie's poster - which showed the Ballon d'Or winner front and centre. 

The film is a sequel to the original El Hareefa which was released earlier this year. 

Michael Owen has been pictured in Cairo, Egypt as he prepares to star in a new movie

A poster for the film 'El Hareefa 2' featuring Owen recently did the rounds on social media

The plot for that film, as per IMDb, centred around teenage football lover 'Maged' and his transition from private school to a public one - and his adventures in their street football team. 

It will be Owen's second ever time starring on the big screen after having a small cameo in cult classic 'Goal II: Living the Dream' back in 2007.

Owen's surprise move into the film industry comes 10 years after he claimed that he 'hated films'.

He took to X - called Twitter at the time - to write: 'Watched my eighth ever film on the flight home. Must have been bored. #HateFilms'.

On the same day, he also posted: 'Films I've been forced to watch: Rocky, Heat, Ghost, Jurassic Park, Cool Runnings, Seabiscuit, Karate Kid, Forest Gump'.

Since retiring in 2013, Owen has become a well known face within the sport of horse racing as a breeder and owner. 

Owen set up the Manor House Stables in Malpas and one of his horses, Zoffee, won the Chester Cup, a £170,000 handicap race, in May.

As well as his involvement in the horse racing world, Owen is still a familiar face for football fans thanks to his appearances as a pundit on TNT Sports. 

Back in 2014, Owen previously claimed that he 'hated films' and said he'd only watched eight

Owen missed the most recent Match Officials Mic'd Up - just 24 hours after a scandal involving referee David Coote erupted. 

A video went viral on social media that appeared to show Coote worse for wear as he branded Liverpool 's***' and called the club's former manager Jurgen Klopp a 'German ****'.

Coote has been suspended by the PGMOL pending a full investigation, and referees' chief Howard Webb was expected to be grilled by Owen on Coote's conduct.

However, as the show that scrutinises refereeing decisions began, it quickly became clear that Owen was nowhere to be seen.