Gary Lineker has always been happy to share his views when it comes to football, but one of those will leave many Liverpool supporters unhappy
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Gary Lineker speaking on the Rest is Football podcast
Gary Lineker's thoughts on Liverpool may not go down well with the Merseysiders
(Image: YouTube/the Rest is Football podcast)
Gary Lineker proclaimed Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United as the three biggest football clubs in world football, snubbing Liverpool in the process. Sir Alex Ferguson famously said he wanted to knock Liverpool "right off their f***ing perch" and in the eyes of Lineker, the Scot did that successfully.
As well as United jumping above the Merseysiders in the Match of the Day host's view, he also believes the two La Liga giants are bigger than Liverpool. The Spanish powerhouses have delivered several blows to Liverpool, with Los Blancos beating them in two Champions League finals since 2018, and the Catalans signing many of their best players.
Barcelona enticed Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Javier Mascherano to the Camp Nou, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid, having already confirmed that he will be leaving Anfield when his contract expires this summer. Despite the fact Liverpool's record of winning major European titles is only bested by Madrid and AC Milan, Lineker holds Los Blancos, United and Barcelona in greater light than the Merseysiders.
Real Madrid boast 15 Champions League and European Cup trophies, yet Liverpool edges Barcelona with their six major European triumphs against the Catalans' five. The Merseysiders have also lifted the big-eared European trophy more times than United, who have won it three times.
While 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."
Lineker will be overseeing his final Match of the Day this weekend, after announcing he will step down from presenting the BBC's highlights programme for good. He was initially planning to continue with live FA Cup broadcasts and World Cup coverage until 2026, but has since chosen to leave the BBC entirely after this weekend's programme.
Amad Diallo of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield on January 05, 2025 in Liverpool, England
Lineker placed United above Liverpool in 2023
The departure follows the controversial social media video he shared about Zionism, which featured a rat emoji. Lineker insists he did not see the rat emoji, but admitted he should have paid more due diligence, before sharing the post to his large social media following.
In a video statement he uploaded to his social pages, 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 made his announcement on social media
"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.
"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."