While Beckham has been pictured leaving most of the best places in London and Madrid, Owen's perfect day out would be a trip to Chester Races.
While Beckham says he wants to be remembered as an ambassador for world and English football, Owen's ambition is more modest.
"I would like people to remember me as a decent footballer and then I can enjoy the rest of my life," he says.
"A part in a film? I don't think so, although other people deal with that side of things. Perhaps they don't think I'm that good."
You sense that Owen has looked at Beckham's very public life and decided he wants none of it.
"I'm happy to be in the background," he has always said. "As long as I'm only on the back pages you can call me what you like."
They are disparate characters, the captain and his deputy but for all that, they share common goals.
Beckham, for example, says he has apologised to everyone over the Wales' yellow card fiasco.
Contrary to reports, he wants to go on and on playing for his country until he wins more caps than Bobby Moore, who played for England 108 times and his father's idol, Sir Bobby Charlton, who won 106.
As he is due to be awarded cap number 77 when he leads England out tomorrow, you would feel that is a realistic ambition on Beckham's part, should he stay fit.
Owen also wants to rewrite England international history. Having scored 28 goals for England, he has Sir Bobby Charlton's scoring record of 49 goals in his distant sights.
That, he admits, is a more difficult challenge. "I'm almost 25 now and, although I would dearly love to have that record, it's going to take a very big effort," he says.
In the meantime though, they both seem to be enjoying life here in Madrid and are relishing the opportunity to represent England in their adopted city.
"I feel more at home here now," says Owen. "When I first came to Real Madrid and made a mistake in training I thought 'oh god, they think I'm a bad player' but I'm beginning to lose that feeling now."
For the moment then, the Pink Panther can wait.
For Beckham and Owen, starring in football matches remains the big picture.
