Gary Lineker remains one of the most recognizable figures in British sports, having successfully transitioned from a celebrated football career to becoming a household name in broadcasting. His journey from Leicester’s streets to international stardom continues to fascinate fans and critics alike.

GARY LINEKER – BIOGRAPHY

Category	Details
Full Name	Gary Winston Lineker
Date of Birth	November 30, 1960
Age	64 years old (as of 2024)
Place of Birth	Leicester, England
Nationality	British
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position	Striker (Retired)
Professional Career	1978-1994
Education	Caldecote Road School, City of Leicester Boys’ Grammar School
Father	Barry Lineker (Greengrocer)
Siblings	Wayne Lineker (Brother)
Marital Status	Divorced
First Wife	Michelle Cockayne (m. 1986–2006)
Second Wife	Danielle Bux (m. 2009–2016)
Children	Four sons: George, Harry, Tobias, Angus
Honours	OBE (1992) for services to football
Clubs Played For	Leicester City (1978-1985) Everton (1985-1986) Barcelona (1986-1989) Tottenham Hotspur (1989-1992) Nagoya Grampus Eight (1992-1994)
England Caps	80 caps (1984-1992)
England Goals	48 goals (4th highest scorer)
Career Goals	331 goals in 654 competitive games
Major Individual Awards	1986 World Cup Golden Boot PFA Player of the Year (1986) FWA Footballer of the Year (1986) FIFA Fair Play Award (1990) English Football Hall of Fame inductee
Club Trophies	Copa del Rey (1988) European Cup Winners’ Cup (1989) FA Cup (1991)
Notable Record	Never received a yellow or red card in entire career England’s record for most World Cup finals goals (10) Only player to win English Golden Boot with three clubs
Broadcasting Career	1995-Present
Main Role	Match of the Day presenter (1999-2025)
BBC Salary	£1.75 million (2020) – Highest-paid BBC presenter
Other Media Work	The Rest is Football podcast Al Jazeera Sport NBC Sports Network BT Sport (2015-2021) La Liga TV
Net Worth	Estimated tens of millions of pounds (exact figure undisclosed)
Business Ventures	Leicester City consortium leader (2002) Honorary Vice-President of Leicester City Gary Lineker’s Football Challenge video game (2009) Walkers Crisps brand ambassador
Social Media	Active on Twitter/X with millions of followers
Controversies	March 2023: Suspended by BBC over asylum policy tweets May 2025: Apologized for controversial social media post
Political Views	Described as left-leaning
Career End	Announced Match of the Day departure (May 2025) Continuing with FA Cup and 2026 World Cup coverage
Legacy	Never received a yellow or red card in his entire career England’s record for most World Cup finals goals (10) Only player to win the English Golden Boot with three clubs

Early Years in Leicester

Born on November 30, 1960, in Leicester, England, Gary Lineker entered the world on the same day as Winston Churchill, a fact that would later become part of his personal history. His father, Barry, worked as a greengrocer at Leicester Market, providing a modest upbringing for the family. Young Lineker attended Caldecote Road School before moving on to City of Leicester Boys’ Grammar School, where his athletic talents began to flourish.

Interestingly, football wasn’t always the obvious path for him. Gary Lineker captained the Leicestershire Schools cricket team for five impressive years, demonstrating exceptional prowess with bat and ball. For a time, he seriously considered pursuing professional cricket rather than football, a decision that would have dramatically altered British sports history.

The Football Years: Building a Legend

Club Success Across Europe

Gary Lineker began his professional football journey with his hometown club Leicester City in 1978. Over seven seasons, he netted 95 goals in 194 appearances, establishing himself as one of England’s most clinical finishers. His breakthrough season came in 1984-85 when he became the joint top scorer in the First Division.

Everton came calling in 1985, paying £800,000 for his services. What followed was a remarkable single season where Gary Lineker scored 40 goals in just 57 games, earning him both the PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards. His performances caught the attention of Barcelona, who secured his signature in 1986.

During his time in Catalonia, Gary Lineker won the Copa del Rey in 1988 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1989, adding continental silverware to his growing collection. He returned to England in 1989, joining Tottenham Hotspur, where he would win the FA Cup—his only major English trophy. His career concluded with Japanese club Nagoya Grampus Eight from 1992 to 1994.

England’s Goal Machine

On the international stage, Gary Lineker represented England with distinction, earning 80 caps and scoring 48 goals between 1984 and 1992. He remains the fourth-highest England scorer of all time. His finest moment came at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where he won the Golden Boot after scoring six goals in the tournament.

Gary Lineker holds England’s record for most World Cup finals goals with an impressive tally of 10. He played a crucial role in England’s memorable run to the 1990 World Cup semi-finals in Italy, cementing his status as one of the nation’s greatest strikers.

A Remarkable Record of Fair Play

Perhaps most remarkably, Gary Lineker never received a yellow or red card during his entire professional career—a testament to his sportsmanship and discipline. This extraordinary achievement earned him the FIFA Fair Play Award in 1990. He became the only player to win the English Golden Boot with three different clubs and finished as runner-up in the 1986 Ballon d’Or voting. His total career statistics read 331 goals in 654 competitive games, and he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.

Transition to Broadcasting

Match of the Day and BBC Dominance

After retiring from professional football in 1994, Gary Lineker seamlessly transitioned into broadcasting. In 1999, he became the presenter of Match of the Day, the BBC’s flagship football highlights program. Over the next two and a half decades, he would become the longest-serving host in the show’s history.

Gary Lineker’s role extended beyond weekly domestic coverage. He served as lead presenter for major tournaments, including multiple World Cups and European Championships. He also hosted the BBC’s coverage of the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 Commonwealth Games, showcasing his versatility as a broadcaster.

How much is Gary Lineker worth? His success in broadcasting proved financially rewarding. By 2020, he had become the highest-paid BBC presenter, earning £1.75 million annually—a figure that sparked public debate about BBC salaries and value for money.

Beyond the BBC

Gary Lineker’s broadcasting portfolio extended beyond the BBC. He worked with Al Jazeera Sport on English-language coverage, NBC Sports Network for Premier League matches in the United States, and BT Sport for Champions League coverage between 2015 and 2021. He also served as an ambassador and commentator for La Liga TV, demonstrating his international appeal.

Why is Gary Lineker leaving Match of the Day? In May 2025, he announced his departure from the program after more than 25 years at the helm, marking the end of an era in British sports broadcasting. However, he will continue hosting FA Cup coverage and is expected to present the 2026 World Cup for the BBC. He also remains active with The Rest is Football podcast alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

Controversies and Public Debate

Social Media and Political Commentary

What did Gary Lineker say? What did Gary Lineker tweet? These questions have dominated headlines in recent years as his social media presence became increasingly prominent and occasionally controversial. Known for expressing his political views openly, Gary Lineker has been described as someone whose opinions lean more to the left than the right.

What did Gary Lineker do that caused such controversy? In March 2023, Gary Lineker posted comments on Twitter (now known as X) criticizing the UK government’s asylum policy. The remarks led to his temporary suspension by the BBC, sparking a massive public debate about free speech, impartiality guidelines, and the role of presenters employed by the public broadcaster.

Why was Gary Lineker sacked—or rather, suspended? The BBC’s decision triggered an unprecedented show of solidarity from fellow presenters and pundits, many of whom refused to appear on air in protest. The standoff resulted in severely disrupted sports coverage before Gary Lineker was reinstated following intense public pressure and internal discussions about BBC editorial guidelines.

What has Gary Lineker done since then? In May 2025, he apologized for sharing controversial social media content, demonstrating ongoing tension between his role as a public broadcaster and his desire to express personal opinions online. The Gary Lineker Twitter account remains active and influential, with millions of followers tracking his every post.

Personal Life and Relationships

Is Gary Lineker married? The broadcaster’s personal life has seen its share of changes. His first marriage to Michelle Cockayne lasted from 1986 to 2006 and produced four sons: George, Harry, Tobias, and Angus. Gary Lineker’s wife in his second marriage was Danielle Bux, whom he wed in 2009. However, this union ended in divorce in 2016.

How old is Gary Lineker? As of 2024, he is 64 years old, though he maintains the energy and sharpness that made him successful both on the pitch and in the television studio. Gary Lineker’s age hasn’t slowed his career or his active presence on social media platforms.

Gary Lineker’s brother, Wayne, carved out his own niche in the hospitality industry, owning several “Bar Lineker” establishments across Mediterranean locations, capitalizing on the family name’s recognition.

Business Ventures and Leicester Legacy

Beyond broadcasting, Gary Lineker has remained connected to his roots. In 2002, he led a consortium that saved Leicester City from bankruptcy, demonstrating loyalty to the club where his professional journey began. He was subsequently appointed honorary vice-president of Leicester City, maintaining his connection to the Foxes throughout his post-playing career.

In 2009, Gary Lineker branched into gaming with “Gary Lineker’s Football Challenge,” a video game bearing his name and likeness. He has also worked as an author and maintained various commercial partnerships throughout his media career.

Financial Success

Gary Lineker’s net worth has been the subject of considerable public interest. Beyond his BBC salary, he has earned substantial income through commercial endorsements, most notably a long-running association with Walkers Crisps that made him a fixture in British advertising. While exact figures remain private, estimates of Gary Lineker’s net worth place it in the tens of millions of pounds, reflecting decades of success in multiple fields.

Legacy and Impact

Gary Lineker’s legacy extends far beyond goal tallies and television ratings. He received an OBE for services to football in 1992, recognizing his contributions to English sport. He stands as one of England’s greatest strikers, combining prolific scoring with exemplary sportsmanship that set standards for future generations.

His successful transition from football to broadcasting created a template that many former players have attempted to follow, though few have matched his longevity and influence. As a cultural icon in British sports media, he has shaped how millions of fans consume and discuss football for over two decades.

Gary Lineker has also been active in philanthropic efforts, supporting various charitable causes throughout his career. His willingness to engage with social and political issues, despite the controversies this has generated, reflects a broader evolution in how sports personalities interact with public discourse in the social media age.

The Future Beyond Match of the Day

While his departure from Match of the Day marks the end of one chapter, Gary Lineker shows no signs of retreating from public life. His podcast continues to attract millions of listeners, his social media presence remains robust, and his scheduled involvement with major tournament coverage ensures he will remain a central figure in British sports broadcasting for years to come.

The questions surrounding Gary Lineker—about what he tweeted, what he said, what he did, and why he’s leaving Match of the Day—reflect the enduring public fascination with a man who has spent over four decades in the spotlight. From scoring goals without a single booking to navigating the complexities of modern media, his journey continues to captivate and occasionally divide audiences.

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