Gary Lineker

Gary Lineker: biography

Gary Lineker is a former professional footballer from England who is now a prominent sports broadcaster and presenter.

Childhood and youth

Gary Lineker was born on November 30, 1960 in Leicester, England. He grew up in a family of four, with his parents and an older brother. From a young age, Lineker showed a keen interest in football, and he began playing for local youth teams.

At first Lineker attended Caldecote Road School, then he began to attend the City of Leicester Boys' Grammar School, where he excelled academically and on the football field. He played for the school team and was scouted by Leicester City at the age of 16. He joined the club as an apprentice in 1976 and made his first-team debut two years later.

Despite his early success in football, Lineker continued to prioritize his education. He completed his A-levels and went on to study sports science at the University of Leicester, earning a degree in 1987. Throughout his youth, Lineker was known for his work ethic and determination, which helped him achieve success both on and off the field.

Football career

Gary Lineker's football career began with his hometown club, Leicester City, where he signed as an apprentice in 1976. He made his first-team debut two years later and quickly established himself as a prolific goalscorer. In the 1984-85 season, Lineker scored 24 goals in 38 league games, earning him the Golden Boot award for the highest scorer in the English top-flight division.

In 1986, Lineker joined Everton and continued his goal-scoring form, helping the team win the Football League Cup in his first season. He scored 38 goals in 52 appearances for the club before being signed by Barcelona in 1986. In his first season with the Spanish giants, Lineker scored 21 goals in 41 appearances, helping the team win the Copa del Rey.

Lineker's time in Barcelona was followed by a brief stint with Tottenham Hotspur, where he scored 67 goals in 105 appearances over three seasons. He then moved to Japan to play for Nagoya Grampus Eight, where he finished his professional football career in 1994.

Lineker is perhaps best known for his international career with the England national team. He made his debut in 1984 and went on to score 48 goals in 80 appearances, making him England's second-highest goal scorer of all time, behind only Wayne Rooney. Lineker played in two World Cups for England, in 1986 and 1990, and was the top scorer in the 1986 tournament, with six goals.

Throughout his football career, Lineker was known for his poacher's instinct, clinical finishing, and sportsmanship. He was also highly regarded for his work ethic and discipline, rarely receiving bookings or red cards throughout his playing days. After retiring from football, Lineker remained involved in the sport as a television presenter and pundit, sharing his insights and knowledge with football fans across the world.

Media career

Gary Lineker's media career began in the early 1990s when he started working as a television presenter and pundit for the BBC. He quickly became a familiar face on the channel's flagship football program, "Match of the Day," where he provided analysis and commentary on the latest football matches and news.

Lineker's engaging and knowledgeable style made him a popular figure among football fans, and he soon expanded his media work to include other sports and programs. He presented the BBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics in 1994 and has since covered major sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games, Wimbledon, and the Olympic Games.

In addition to his broadcasting work, Lineker has also appeared in various films and television shows, often playing himself or a character based on his footballing persona. He played a key role in the 1992 film "It's a Grand Life," which featured a fictional football team based on Leicester City.

Lineker's media career has not been without controversy. In 2016, he faced criticism for publicly commenting on the issue of immigration in the UK, leading to calls for him to be removed from his role as a presenter. However, Lineker has remained a prominent figure in the media world and has continued to use his platform to express his opinions on a range of social and political issues.

In recent years, Lineker has become increasingly involved in podcasting, hosting his own show, "The Lineker & Baker: Behind Closed Doors," with former footballer Danny Baker. The show offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of football, with Lineker and Baker sharing anecdotes and insights from their respective careers.

Throughout his media career, Lineker has remained a respected and influential figure in the world of sports broadcasting. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Royal Television Society's Sports Presenter of the Year award in 2019, and is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and engaging personalities in the field.

Personal life

Gary Lineker has been married twice. His first marriage was to Michelle Cockayne, whom he married in 1986. The couple had four children together: George, Harry, Tobias and Angus. Their marriage lasted till 2006 when they divorced.

Lineker then married his second wife, Danielle Bux, in 2009. Bux is a model and actress, and the couple met when she appeared as a lingerie model on "Match of the Day." They separated in 2016 but have remained on good terms.

In addition to his family life, Lineker is known for his philanthropic work. He has been involved in various charitable causes, including the development of football facilities for underprivileged children in Africa and the fight against malaria.

Lineker has also been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, advocating for greater inclusion and acceptance in the sports world. In 2020, he publicly supported the inclusion of transgender athletes in sport, arguing that they should be allowed to compete in accordance with their gender identity.

Outside of his personal and philanthropic pursuits, Lineker is also known for his love of food. He has written several cookbooks and hosted a food and travel series called "Gary Lineker's Grand Tour" in 2016. He is also a frequent guest on cooking shows and has been known to share his culinary exploits on social media.

Honors

Gary Lineker has had a highly successful footballing career, as well as a notable media career. Here is a list of some of his major honors and achievements:

Football:

• English First Division/Premier League: Winner with Everton (1985) and Tottenham Hotspur (1991)
• FA Cup: Winner with Tottenham Hotspur (1991)
• UEFA Cup: Winner with Tottenham Hotspur (1984)
• Golden Boot: Winner at the 1986 FIFA World Cup (6 goals)
• Member of the English Football Hall of Fame
• Ranked as the 22nd greatest English footballer of all time by The Guardian in 2016

Media:

• Guinness World Record: Holder of the record for the most goals scored in a single match on an international stage, having scored four goals in England's 5-1 victory over Spain at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
• Royal Television Society's Sports Presenter of the Year: Winner in 2019
• BAFTA TV Awards: Nominated for Best Entertainment Performance for "Match of the Day" in 1994 and 1995
• Broadcasting Press Guild Awards: Winner of the Radio Broadcaster of the Year award in 2012
• Honorary Doctorate: Awarded by the University of Leicester in 2016 for services to sport and media