The 40-second ad has been created by Persil agency J Walter Thompson and starts in the 1980s with a baby being dangled in front of a football by his dad.
As the kid starts to grow up, he graduates to kicking a football in his backyard with his dad, and then aged seven is seen scoring goals for fun with his father and two brothers -- all completely covered in mud.
As the football skills improve, the amount of mud grows, with the boy's mother resigned to washing the dirty kit. The ad ends with Owen thanking his mother, with a box of Persil under his arm instead of a football. The campaign breaks on April 1.
Cristina Carmueja, brand manager at Lever Faberge, said: "Dirty laundry is a natural and positive consequence of experiencing life to the full. Having fun and taking part is what the ad is all about and Michael is the perfect role model to convey this message to families. Persil is well known for its cleaning credentials and we are confident this campaign will show consumers that with Persil they have the freedom to get dirty."
'Michael Owen' was written by Nick Bell and Tom Carty and directed by Tom Carty through Gorgeous. The campaign will run nationally on both TV and cinema. The media was planned and bought by Initiative.
Persil's most recent television advertising promoted the Persil Performance tablets, using animated dwarves and giant beanstalks.
Previous campaigns for the main Persil brand used animated characters, also created by J Walter Thompson.
Owen has appeared in a raft of ads including spots for Walkers Crisps, Lucozade and the launch advertising for Cereal Partners' Sporties breakfast cereal.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .