David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes … England’s midfield during the mid-noughties was special, to say the least.
Few of the Premier League 's finest homegrown talents had a chance of breaking into the national team’s midfield during this time, which says a lot about Stewart Downing's ability.
The 35-cap international was part of England’s so-called "Golden Generation" – representing his country at the World Cup in 2006, a tournament they were tipped to win.
But they crashed out to Portugal in the quarter-finals, just as they did at Euro 2004. Many still wonder how the Three Lions never got their hands on a trophy during that era.
"I probably didn’t feel it [the pressure] as much as the so-called 'Golden Era' – the [Wayne] Rooneys, the Lampards and all of them who were at their peak at the time," Downing tells Mirror Football .
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"I was only 20, 21 around the time of that World Cup in 2006. For me, just getting in the squad and trying to get minutes – trying to get on the field – was my goal.
"But I think for them players, they had a lot of pressure on them to win because of the stature they had in the game. They were all at their peak, world-class players.
"I just can’t believe that we didn’t win anything with that team – it was unbelievable, especially the starting XI – but things went against us.
"In the World Cup [quarter-final], Rooney obviously got sent off – we probably would’ve went on to win that game if we kept him on.
"In 2004, just before me, he [Rooney] had an injury... if he stays fit, we’d have probably won the tournament because he was one of the best young players in the world at that time.
"I think you need a little bit of luck on the way – and we probably didn’t get it – but we certainly had an amazing team and being part of that squad was brilliant."
Downing earned a coveted spot in England’s World Cup squad after three stunning years at boyhood club Middlesbrough, who were competing in Europe at the time.
Steve McClaren’s squad was littered with Premier League icons, such as Juninho, Yakubu, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Gaizka Mendieta and current England boss Gareth Southgate.
"I came through at a good time," adds Downing, who lifted the EFL Cup with Middlesbrough in 2004.
"When I came into the team… the players we had – Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu and Ray Parlour and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – they were all internationals and very experienced players.
"I was a young lad trying to make my way in the game, but I had good people around me. They gave me good guidance and advice, and I didn’t go into a young team where I could’ve been a bit naïve.
"We had a really good team and good years in Europe – and the timing of me getting in the team was really good."
The defining moment of Middlesbrough’s greatest era was the UEFA Cup final in 2006, suffering a 4-0 defeat to Sevilla after conceding three late goals as they chased the game.
It was a memorable campaign for McClaren’s side, overcoming Roma at the Stadio Olimpico and mounting comebacks against Basel and Romanian outfit FCSB.
"I know it was a 4-0 game, but it wasn’t," insists Downing when asked about the final. "We played quite well during the game, we had a chance at 1-0, we had a penalty shout.
"But I think because of the games before when we sort of went for it… against Bucharest [FCSB] we were dead and buried and ended up making a comeback, Basel [too].
"Our attitude [at 1-0] was we’ll just do the same thing, but I think we met our match that day.
"The quality was different – Dani Alves and people like that were playing in their team, you’ve seen the careers they’ve had since. We got picked apart in the last 15 minutes and got beat 4-0.
"But for us as a club, it was the highlight. Getting to a UEFA Cup final was probably the pinnacle for us – as a club – and after that, the team broke up.
"Steve McClaren went to England, so it was sort of the end of a decent couple of years in Europe for that team."
McClaren’s replacement at Middlesbrough was Southgate, who called time on his playing career to start his successful career in management.
The ex-defender enjoyed two solid seasons in charge of the Riverside club before suffering relegation in his third, although Downing believes he did a good job.
"I always thought he would be a manager, it was just the timing that he did," he notes.
"But when you look back, he did a great job to be fair – considering he had no badges, no experience."
After Middlesbrough’s relegation to the Championship, Downing joined Aston Villa – another team littered with big-name players and dreaming of success in Europe.
Manager Martin O'Neill had built a squad that included Ashley Young, James Milner, John Carew, Emile Heskey, Stiliyan Petrov, Robert Pires and Kyle Walker.
It was tough for Downing to make an impression in such an exciting squad, but he managed to do so – winning the club’s Player of the Year award in 2010-11.
"I signed injured and couldn’t play for the first seven, eight months," recalls the ex-winger.
"I actually got injured last game of the season against Villa – ruptured my foot – so I thought I was going to be in the Championship.
"But Martin signed me – and I think the first thing I thought was, ‘I need to get fit, how am I going to get in the team?’ Because obviously the quality of the team was really good.
"They’d finished sixth, I think, the year before and had a really big, strong squad. I think the only player they’d lost was Gareth Barry [to Manchester City ], that summer.
"Once I got fit and into the team it was brilliant, I had a great two years… it was a good club and I felt comfortable there."
Downing could’ve easily spent the longer at Villa and was only willing to leave if one England’s biggest clubs came calling.
Liverpool did in the summer of 2011 - an opportunity he simply couldn’t turn down.
"I had a great time there," says Downing. "It was a move I’d always wanted to do – play for a club like Liverpool. When the chance I came, I jumped at it.
"I was having a good time at Villa and it was a good club, but I think Liverpool is Liverpool and I wanted to make that move."
Downing was signed by club legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, winning the EFL Cup and reaching the FA Cup final in his first season at Anfield.
Dalglish’s time in charge didn’t last long – as he was dismissed in May 2012 – yet Downing still has fond memories of playing under the Scot, adding: "It was great.
"I was surprised when Kenny lost his job after the first season. With the money we’d spent, obviously that takes time… Jurgen Klopp took three or four years to get his team settled.
"In that one year, we’d lost a cup final, won one and finished eighth in the league. I think, overall, the league position wasn’t good enough, so that’s probably why he lost his job.
"I was surprised [when he got sacked] but it doesn’t take away any of the good memories – I had a good time there."
Downing left Liverpool for West Ham at the end of his second season – earning an England recall due to his impressive form at Upton Park – before returning to Middlesbrough.
Promotion to the Premier League followed, later ending his career at Championship outfit Blackburn. He retired last summer having played more than 750 games for club and country.
Retirement can be difficult, yet Downing is relishing it. He’s currently working in the media and earning his coaching badges, as he looks to continue his career in football.
"It’s actually been good," notes Downing.
"I wouldn’t say I was worried, but I was thinking, 'I need to keep busy and keep on the go' because that’s all I’ve known for 20-odd years in football – getting up every day for training.
"People say, 'Keep yourself active and keep busy.' First couple of weeks I had a holiday with the family, which was good.
"Then I’ve come back and trying to do my coaching badges and doing bits for Sky… to be fair, it’s gone really quick – the seven, eight months I’ve been retired.
"At the minute I’m quite content and enjoy my life, but you’ve got to stay active.
"That’s why I’m doing my coaching badges and TV stuff because it keeps you in football and talking about stuff you enjoy."
