Gary Lineker has never been afraid to air his opinions, but his view on who the three biggest clubs in the world are might surprise Liverpool fans
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Gary Lineker speaking on the Rest is Football podcast
Gary Lineker's view on Liverpool may not go down too well with many supporters
(Image: YouTube/The Rest is Football)
Gary Lineker snubbed Liverpool and proclaimed Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United as the three biggest football clubs on the planet. The Reds have been fierce rivals with United for decades, but have also suffered a lot of pain at the hands of the two Spanish giants.
Real Madrid have beaten Liverpool in two Champions League finals since 2018, while Barcelona were able to sway both Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho to Catalunya. Madrid have also seemingly convinced Trent Alexander-Arnold to move to the Bernabeu, with the right-back recently confirming he will depart Anfield on a free transfer at the end of the season.
While no club boasts more European honours than Los Blancos' haul of 15 Champions League and European Cups, the Reds have more major European titles than Barcelona, winning six compared to the Catalans' five, and United, who have won three. Despite the difference in numbers, Lineker claimed United, Barcelona and Real Madrid were all bigger than Liverpool.
Speaking to La Liga TV in 2023, he said: "I think in the world's big three football clubs, it's probably Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United in terms of stature.
"We all know Real Madrid is a proper football club. I'm biased towards Barcelona [as a former player], we don't love Real Madrid in Barcelona to put it mildly.
"But they are a sensational football club and an incredibly successful football club that play brilliant football."
This weekend will be the last time Lineker oversees a highlights package featuring Liverpool on Match of the Day. The ex-England international was initially going to stop presenting the BBC's highlights coverage of Premier League football, but continue fronting live FA Cup fixtures as well as that of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, before walking away from the BBC.
Sergio Ramos of CF Real Madrid, Mohamed Salah of Liverpool FC during the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool on May 26, 2018 at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine
Liverpool supporters have suffered a lot of pain at the hands of Real Madrid
However, Lineker announced he will step down for good after this weekend's episode. The decision, which he made himself, came after he shared a post on social media about Zionism, which included a rat emoji.
In a video he posted on social media, he said: "Hi everyone, some personal news. Last week I shared a post here on Instagram that contained an emoji that has awful connotations.
"Unfortunately, I did not see the emoji. If I had, I would never, ever have shared it. The minute I was made aware, I quickly deleted the post and went on to make an apology.
Screen grab taken from a video posted to the Instagram account @garylineker of Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker announcing that he will leave the BBC after Match of the Day on Saturday
Lineker has confirmed that he will be leaving the BBC for good
"I would like once again to say I'm sorry unreservedly for the hurt and the upset caused. It was a genuine mistake and oversight, but I should have been more diligent. I know that."
He added: "Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember - both on the pitch and in the studio. I care deeply about the game, and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years.
"As I've said, I would never consciously repost anything anti-semitic - it goes against everything I stand for. However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action."