Gary Lineker • Match of the Day • BBC

Gary Lineker • Match of the Day • BBC

Gary Lineker is a former professional footballer and current sports presenter and pundit for the BBC. He is best known for his work on the popular football highlights show "Match of the Day" and as the host of the BBC's coverage of major international football tournaments, such as the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.

Lineker began his football career in 1978, joining the youth team of Leicester City. He made his professional debut in 1984 and went on to play for several other clubs, including Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nagoya Grampus Eight. He also played for the England national team and was the top scorer at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

After retiring from football in 1994, Lineker moved into broadcasting. He joined the BBC as a football pundit and co-hosted the coverage of the 1994 World Cup. He became the regular host of "Match of the Day" in 1999 and has since become one of the most recognizable faces in British sports broadcasting.

In addition to his work with the BBC, Lineker has also hosted other sports programs, including the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup. He is also involved in various charitable and philanthropic activities, including work with the United Nations World Food Programme.

Gary Lineker was born on November 30, 1960, in Leicester, England. He grew up in a football-loving family and began playing the sport from a young age. Lineker joined the youth team of his hometown club, Leicester City, at the age of 16 and made his professional debut for the club in 1979.

Lineker's breakthrough season came in 1984-85, when he scored 24 goals in 38 league appearances for Leicester City. He was then signed by Everton, where he won the Golden Boot award for the top scorer in the English league in his first season. In 1986, Lineker transferred to Barcelona, where he played alongside legendary players such as Diego Maradona and Ronald Koeman.

After three seasons at Barcelona, Lineker returned to England to play for Tottenham Hotspur. He retired from professional football in 1994 after a brief spell in Japan with Nagoya Grampus Eight. Throughout his career, Lineker scored a total of 282 goals in 567 club appearances and 48 goals in 80 appearances for the England national team.

Following his retirement, Lineker pursued a career in broadcasting and quickly became one of the most popular football pundits in the UK. He has won numerous awards for his work as a presenter, including the BAFTA TV Award for Best Entertainment Performance in 2016.

In addition to his work in sports broadcasting, Lineker has also been involved in various charitable activities. He is a patron of the charity Street Child United, which uses sport to empower street children around the world. Lineker is also an ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme and has been a vocal advocate for ending global hunger.

Aside from his work in sports broadcasting and charitable endeavors, Gary Lineker has also made headlines for his social and political views. He is known for his outspoken criticism of Brexit, the UK's decision to leave the European Union, and has used his platform to call for greater support for refugees and migrants.

In 2016, Lineker caused controversy when he tweeted in support of refugees, stating that "the treatment by some towards these refugees is hideously racist and utterly heartless." The tweet received a backlash from some who accused him of being out of touch with public opinion, but Lineker stood by his comments and continued to use his platform to raise awareness of the refugee crisis.

Lineker has also been an advocate for greater diversity and inclusion in sports broadcasting. In 2020, he criticized the lack of diversity among football pundits in the UK and called for more opportunities for women and people of color in the industry.

In addition to his media work, charitable activities, and political views, Gary Lineker is also an author. He has published several books, including his autobiography, "Striker!" and a novel, "The Detainees."

Overall, Gary Lineker's career has been characterized by his passion for football, his commitment to charitable causes, and his willingness to speak out on social and political issues. He remains a beloved figure in British sports and culture, and his work as a presenter and pundit continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world.

Gary Lineker has also been involved in various other projects throughout his career. In 2012, he presented a documentary for the BBC called "Gary Lineker: The Space Between Us," which explored his family's history and his own identity as a second-generation immigrant.

In 2015, Lineker became the face of Walkers Crisps, a popular brand of potato chips in the UK. He has since appeared in numerous TV ads for the brand, often in comedic and self-deprecating roles.

Lineker has also been a regular guest on popular UK panel shows such as "Have I Got News For You" and "The Graham Norton Show," showcasing his quick wit and sense of humor.

In 2021, Lineker announced that he would be stepping down as host of "Match of the Day" after 22 years. He has since become an ambassador for the BBC and continues to work on various projects for the network.

Overall, Gary Lineker's career has spanned multiple industries and has been characterized by his versatility, passion, and dedication to various causes. He remains a popular and respected figure in the UK and beyond, and his contributions to sports, media, and society at large continue to be recognized and celebrated.

Gary Lineker's accomplishments and contributions to sports and broadcasting have been recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1991, he was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to football. He was later awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2016 for his services to sports broadcasting and charity.

Lineker has also been inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame and the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame. In 2021, he was awarded the BAFTA Special Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to broadcasting.

Aside from his work in sports broadcasting, Lineker has also been involved in various entrepreneurial ventures. In 2019, he co-founded a startup called Player 4 Player, which aims to provide financial advice and support for professional footballers.

Lineker's personal life has also been the subject of media attention over the years. He has been married twice and has four children. Lineker has also been open about his struggles with divorce, having gone through a highly publicized split from his second wife in 2016.

Overall, Gary Lineker's career and personal life have been marked by his talent, passion, and commitment to various causes. He has become one of the most recognizable and respected figures in British sports and media, and his influence continues to be felt both on and off the pitch.

In addition to his work as a sports broadcaster, Gary Lineker has also been involved in various charitable activities. He is a patron of several organizations, including the British Asian Trust, the Leicester Children's Hospital Appeal, and the Willow Foundation, which provides special days for seriously ill young adults.

Lineker has also been a long-time supporter of the charity Sport Relief, which uses sports to raise money for vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in the UK and around the world. He has participated in numerous fundraising activities for the charity, including a 78-mile walk across the UK in 2016.

In 2020, Lineker made headlines when he announced that he would be taking a pay cut from his BBC salary, which was reported to be over £1.75 million per year. He stated that the pay cut was a voluntary move to help the BBC during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had caused financial strain on the organization.

Overall, Gary Lineker's charitable work and philanthropic endeavors have been an important part of his career and personal life. He has used his platform to raise awareness and funds for a wide range of causes, and his commitment to giving back has made him a role model for many people in the UK and beyond.