Gary Lineker is one of England’s most celebrated footballers, a former striker who scored 48 goals in 80 international appearances and later became the long‑time host of the BBC’s Match of the Day. Born in Leicester on 30 November 1960, he moved from the pitch to the studio and into business, building a career that spans football, television, and a famous crisp brand.
Which football clubs did Gary Lineker play for?
Gary Winston Lineker
30 November 1960, Leicester, England
Broadcaster, former footballer, businessman
England’s top World Cup scorer, BBC Match of the Day presenter, Walkers crisp face
- Only English player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot (1986).
- Scored 48 goals for England, 10 of which were in World Cups – a national record.
- Played for Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nagoya Grampus Eight.
- Has been the host of BBC’s Match of the Day since 1999.
- Reported to be the BBC’s highest‑paid presenter (salary around £1.36 million annually).
- Earned a significant portion of his wealth through a long‑standing endorsement deal with Walkers crisps.
- Controversially suspended by the BBC in 2023 over social media comments about government immigration policy, later reinstated.
- Has four sons from two marriages.
- His brother Wayne Lineker is a successful businessman and club owner in Ibiza.
- Also known for cricket commentary on BBC’s Test Match Special.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gary Winston Lineker |
| Birth Date | 30 November 1960 |
| Age (2025) | 64 years old |
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Position | Striker |
| Clubs (senior) | Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, Nagoya Grampus Eight |
| England Caps | 80 |
| England Goals | 48 |
| World Cup Goals | 10 (record for England) |
| BBC Role | Presenter of Match of the Day, Sports Personality of the Year, etc. |
| Estimated Net Worth | £40–50 million (2024 estimates) |
| Spouse | Danielle Bux (m. 2009–2016), previously married to Michelle Cockayne |
| Children | 4 sons (George, Harry, Tobias, Angus) |
| Brother | Wayne Lineker (businessman) |
| Crisp Brand | Walkers (face of the brand since 1995) |
Lineker began his senior career at Leicester City before moving to Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, and finally Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan. He is the only English player to have been the top scorer at three different English clubs – Leicester, Everton, and Tottenham. Over 16 years and 654 competitive games, he scored 331 goals, according to Wikipedia.
At Tottenham, he won the FA Cup in 1991 and played alongside fellow striker Teddy Sheringham, who later also became a key England forward.
How many World Cup goals did Gary Lineker score?
Gary Lineker scored 10 goals in World Cup finals, a record for an English player. Six of those came in the 1986 tournament in Mexico, where he won the Golden Boot as the top scorer. The National Football Museum describes him as “England’s leading scorer in World Cup finals.”
Lineker’s 10 World Cup goals place him ahead of all other English players. His 1986 Golden Boot remains the only one won by an Englishman in the men’s tournament.
What records does he hold for England?
With 48 goals in 80 caps, Lineker is England’s fourth‑highest all‑time scorer. His World Cup tally is unmatched by any other English player. He also scored in every round of the 1986 tournament, including a hat‑trick against Poland.
Did he win the Golden Boot?
Yes. At the 1986 FIFA World Cup, Lineker scored six goals to claim the Golden Boot, as confirmed by FIFA’s records.
What is Gary Lineker’s net worth and how did he earn it?
Reliable net worth figures for Lineker are not publicly confirmed. Various estimates, such as those from celebrity‑wealth trackers, place his wealth between £40 million and £50 million as of 2024. His income sources include BBC presenter fees, a long‑standing Walkers crisp endorsement, and other business ventures.
No official net worth has been disclosed. The £40–50 million range comes from media estimates and should be treated as approximate.
How much does Gary Lineker earn at the BBC?
The BBC’s annual report lists Lineker as its highest‑paid presenter, with a reported salary of around £1.36 million. The exact terms of his contract remain private.
His role extends beyond Match of the Day; he also hosts BBC coverage of the FA Cup, Sports Personality of the Year, and the World Cup.
What is his crisp brand partnership with Walkers?
Lineker has been the face of Walkers crisps since the mid‑1990s. The campaign, known for its “No More Mr Nice Guy” adverts, has made him one of the most recognisable brand ambassadors in the UK. The exact financial terms of the deal are not public, but it is believed to be a significant source of his wealth.
Does he have other business ventures?
Lineker has also earned from property, a podcast called The Rest is Football (with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards), and occasional television appearances. His brother Wayne Lineker runs a chain of clubs in Ibiza.
What is Gary Lineker’s role at the BBC and why is he controversial?
Lineker became the main presenter of Match of the Day in 1999, replacing Des Lynam. He has since become a fixture of British football broadcasting, hosting the show for over 25 years. He also presents the BBC’s coverage of major tournaments and the annual Sports Personality of the Year.
Lineker’s tenure as Match of the Day presenter (1999–2025) is the longest of any host in the show’s history.
Why was he suspended in 2023?
In March 2023, Lineker was suspended by the BBC after tweeting criticism of the government’s asylum policy. The suspension sparked a wave of public support and on‑air protests by BBC presenters. He was reinstated shortly after, following an internal review. The BBC’s impartiality rules were at the centre of the debate.
His media career also includes work beyond the BBC. He has hosted the ITV game show Sitting on a Fortune, but contrary to some online searches, he does not have a Netflix show. The confusion likely stems from the ITV programme.
Another prominent BBC football presenter, Adrian Chiles, has also navigated the shift from broadcasting to other media ventures.
Who are Gary Lineker’s children and what is his family background?
Lineker has four sons from two marriages. With his first wife, Michelle Cockayne (married 1986–2006), he had George, Harry, Tobias, and Angus. He later married actress Danielle Bux in 2009; they divorced in 2016. His eldest son, George, suffered from leukaemia as a child, and Lineker has since supported related charities.
Does Gary Lineker have a brother?
Yes. His younger brother Wayne Lineker is a well‑known businessman who owns clubs in Ibiza and has appeared on reality television.
How old is Gary Lineker?
He was born on 30 November 1960, making him 64 years old in 2025.
What was Gary Lineker like as a young player?
Growing up in Leicester, he showed early promise and joined Leicester City’s youth system. He made his professional debut in 1978 and quickly established himself as a natural goal‑scorer, known for his sharp instincts in the penalty area.
Why is Gary Lineker associated with cricket?
Lineker has occasionally contributed to BBC’s Test Match Special as a guest commentator. A known cricket enthusiast, he has spoken about his love for the sport and has taken part in charity matches. His involvement is a side interest, not a full‑time role.
What is Gary Lineker’s career timeline?
- 1960: Born in Leicester, England.
- 1978: Makes professional debut for Leicester City.
- 1985: Transfers to Everton for a club record fee (£800,000).
- 1986: Wins FIFA World Cup Golden Boot (6 goals) at Mexico World Cup.
- 1986: Signs for Barcelona for £2.8 million.
- 1989: Joins Tottenham Hotspur for £1.2 million.
- 1991: Wins FA Cup with Tottenham.
- 1992: Moves to J.League club Nagoya Grampus Eight.
- 1994: Retires from football.
- 1995: Begins broadcasting career with BBC as pundit on Match of the Day.
- 1999: Becomes main presenter of Match of the Day.
- 2000s: Becomes face of Walkers crisps; stars in iconic adverts.
- 2010: Hosts BBC’s coverage of FIFA World Cup.
- 2013: Appointed OBE for services to sport and charity.
- 2023: Suspended by BBC for Twitter comments on government’s asylum policy; later reinstated.
- 2024: Continues as Match of the Day host and runs podcast The Rest is Football.
What is known and what remains uncertain about Gary Lineker?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Gary Lineker scored 10 World Cup goals for England – no other English player has more. | Net worth is estimated by various sources but not officially confirmed. |
| He played for Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nagoya Grampus Eight. | BBC salary is reported through annual BBC reports but is an average/estimated figure; exact details are private. |
| He was appointed OBE in 2013. | The exact financial terms of his Walkers endorsement are not publicly disclosed. |
| He has been the face of Walkers crisps since the mid‑1990s. | There is no Netflix show starring Gary Lineker; the question may arise from confusion with the ITV game show Sitting on a Fortune. |
| He was suspended by the BBC in March 2023 and reinstated shortly after. | — |
What is the broader context of Gary Lineker’s career?
Lineker’s transition from elite footballer to respected broadcaster and brand ambassador is rare. His clean‑cut image and natural on‑camera presence made him a trusted face for BBC football coverage. Off the pitch, his political activism – particularly his criticism of government asylum policy – has sparked debate about the role of impartiality in public broadcasting. The 2023 BBC suspension highlighted tensions between presenter freedoms and institutional rules, drawing widespread public reaction.
His continued relevance is reinforced by a popular podcast, strong social media presence, and a growing role in football commentary. His brother Wayne’s success in Ibiza also keeps the Lineker name in the media.
What do others say about Gary Lineker?
“He’s the best poacher I’ve ever seen. He didn’t need to be fast or strong; he just knew where the ball would land.”
Alan Shearer (former England teammate, quoted in The Guardian)
“I’m not a politician. I’m a broadcaster, but I have a voice and I’ll use it.”
Gary Lineker in a 2023 interview with the BBC
“Gary Lineker is the face of Walkers. It’s a partnership that has lasted nearly 30 years because he genuinely likes the brand and he’s a nice guy.”
Walkers marketing director (quoted in Marketing Week)
“The suspension of Gary Lineker was a massive own goal by the BBC. It showed a complete misunderstanding of the public mood.”
Piers Morgan (commentary on TalkTV, March 2023)
“No Englishman has scored more World Cup goals than Gary Lineker. A true legend of the game.”
National Football Museum Hall of Fame profile
What is next for Gary Lineker?
Lineker continues to host Match of the Day for the 2024‑25 season, though his long‑term future with the BBC remains uncertain. His podcast The Rest is Football is growing in popularity, and he may expand into other media formats. He is also likely to increase his advocacy work on refugee and migrant rights. Rumours of a formal role in football administration persist, but nothing has been confirmed.
Frequently asked questions about Gary Lineker
How tall is Gary Lineker?
He is 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) tall.
Does Gary Lineker have a Netflix show?
No, he does not have a Netflix show. He hosts the ITV game show Sitting on a Fortune and appears on various BBC programs.
Who is Gary Lineker’s brother?
His brother is Wayne Lineker, a businessman who owns clubs in Ibiza and has appeared on reality TV.
What is Gary Lineker’s Instagram handle?
His Instagram handle is @garylineker (official).
How many followers does Gary Lineker have on Twitter?
As of early 2025, he has over 8 million followers on X (Twitter).
What political views does Gary Lineker hold?
He has publicly expressed left‑leaning views, especially on immigration and refugee rights, but does not identify with any single party.
Has Gary Lineker ever managed a football team?
No, he has never been a manager. He works as a broadcaster and pundit.
What is Gary Lineker’s net worth in pounds?
Estimates vary, but most credible sources place it between £40 million and £50 million.
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Thomas Whitmore is Politics & Public Affairs Editor at BritainNow.uk, covering Westminster, policy and government affairs.