Latest news with #Lineker
Metro
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Gary Lineker names the 'amazing' player he doesn't want to win the Ballon d'Or
Gary Lineker has tipped one Champions League finalist to win the Ballon d'Or, but jokingly says he doesn't want him to get the award. Paris Saint-Germain take on Inter Milan in Munich on Saturday night with the winner crowned champions of Europe. Both sides have been magnificent in the UCL this season, knocking out the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, with Inter looking to win the competition for the fourth time. Conversely, PSG have never won the Champions League and victory in Munich would see them achieve the treble after they lifted the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France. Lineker believes it is the year of the underdog and singled out a PSG player for praise while making his prediction for the final. 'I'm going 2-0 PSG. I think it's their turn, I've kept saying it,' the England legend told The Rest is Football podcast. 'It's why I tipped Crystal Palace [to win the FA Cup] and after what happened with Newcastle, and Tottenham winning any kind of trophy for the first time in 17 years, I have a feeling it's that kind of season. 'One of the key figures in PSG getting this far has been their goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma – an Italian playing against an Italian team. 'What a number of performances we've seen from him in this competition, so even if Inter get through this PSG [defence] they've still go one big boy to get past! 'The Martin Odegaard save was incredible. Through so many bodies, hit really hard, low in the corner. For a giant to get down that quickly, so agile.' One of, if not the best goalkeeper in the world, Donnarumma has enjoyed another great season in Paris, conceding 39 goals in as many games across all competitions and keeping 11 clean sheets. The result of the Champions League final will have a huge impact on the Ballon d'Or, with no clear favourite in the race to be crowned the best footballer in the world. PSG forward Ousmane Dembele, Inter striker Lautaro Martinez and Barcelona wingers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha are the frontrunners ahead of Donnarumma. Lamine Yamal – 6/4 Ousmane Dembele – 13/8 Lautaro Martinez – 6/1 Raphinha – 6/1 Gianluigi Donnarumma – 13/2 'If Donnarumma has another amazing game in the final and is maybe the key figure, is it possible that we get a goalkeeper as the winner of the Ballon d'Or?' Lineker asked his fellow pundits, with Micah Richards replying: 'That's not a bad shout.' More Trending But a laughing Lineker quickly rebutted: 'I think it's a terrible shout! I don't like goalkeepers, they always get in the way of the the goalscorers!' While obviously a joke, Lineker should have little to fear as defensive players and goalkeepers do not fare well in Ballon d'Or voting. Fabio Cannavaro was the last defender to win the award in 2006 but Lev Yashin is the only keeper to have claimed the prize, doing so way back in 1963. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Claude Makelele makes Chelsea Champions League prediction after Conference League triumph MORE: Record nine English teams qualify for Europe – is yours one of them? MORE: Jose Mourinho reacts to Tottenham beating Manchester United in Europa League final
Evening Standard
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Gary Lineker's fall is a tale about self-deception, vanity and privilege
Gary Lineker has left the BBC with the kind of fanfare that, had he been less famous and less rich, would not have happened, though he will not admit that to himself. Rather, he would have left in disgrace. Perhaps, once you reach a certain level, there is no such thing as disgrace now. Football pundits banged him out on X: they talked of his gifts. I have no idea about this. I believe in expertise, and I am no footballer, but he was always soothing to listen to on Match of the Day. Others — not football pundits, those who should know better — banged him out too. Jeremy Corbyn led them. He called Lineker 'the face of humility, warmth and decency' and 'a man to be celebrated'. The insinuation is: Lineker, so golden, was betrayed.
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Dua Lipa and Gary Lineker join stars calling PM to halt all arms sales to Israel
More than 300 actors, musicians, activists and others used an open letter to call on the Prime Minister to 'take immediate action to end the UK's complicity in the horrors of Gaza'. As well as suspending UK arms sales to Israel, the group urged Sir Keir to 'use all available means' to ensure humanitarian aid gets into the territory and 'make a commitment to the children of Gaza' that he would broker an 'immediate and permanent ceasefire'. The signatories included Lineker, who left his role presenting Match Of The Day earlier this month following a controversy over one of his social media posts about the conflict in Gaza. Benedict Cumberbatch is one of several actors to have signed the letter urging the Prime Minister to end all arms sales to Israel (Ian West/PA) He was joined by actors including Cumberbatch and Brian Cox, along with Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlin, singers Paloma Faith and Annie Lennox, and Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos. Josie Naughton, founder of the charity Choose Love – which organised the letter, said: 'Words won't save the lives of Palestinian children as they are being killed, words won't fill their empty stomachs. 'We need action from Keir Starmer now. That means stopping arms sales, making sure that legitimate humanitarian organisations can reach people in Gaza. It means doing everything possible to make these horrors end.' The letter follows Tel Aviv's decision to renew its military offensive in Gaza last week as it presses for what Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called 'total victory' over Hamas. UK ministers have condemned the decision, suspending trade talks with Israel, sanctioning West Bank settlers and summoning the country's ambassador, while Sir Keir himself called for Mr Netanyahu to end the offensive. The Prime Minister also described the situation in Gaza as 'intolerable' and warned of 'the prospect of starvation' due to a lack of humanitarian aid. Ministers have already suspended licences for some arms sales to Israel, but activists have demanded that the Government goes further, imposing a total ban including on parts for the F-35 jet. But the Government has said halting the export of spare F-35 parts is not possible as the UK is part of a global supply network and cannot control where those parts end up. A Government spokesperson said: 'We strongly oppose the expansion of military operations in Gaza and call on the Israeli Government to cease its offensive and immediately allow for unfettered access to humanitarian aid. 'The denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law. 'Last year, we suspended export licences to Israel for items used in military operations in Gaza and continue to refuse licences for military goods that could be used by Israel in the current conflict. 'We urge all parties to urgently agree a ceasefire agreement and work towards a permanent and sustainable peace.'
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Dua Lipa and Gary Lineker join stars calling PM to halt all arms sales to Israel
More than 300 actors, musicians, activists and others used an open letter to call on the Prime Minister to 'take immediate action to end the UK's complicity in the horrors of Gaza'. As well as suspending UK arms sales to Israel, the group urged Sir Keir to 'use all available means' to ensure humanitarian aid gets into the territory and 'make a commitment to the children of Gaza' that he would broker an 'immediate and permanent ceasefire'. The signatories included Lineker, who left his role presenting Match Of The Day earlier this month following a controversy over one of his social media posts about the conflict in Gaza. He was joined by actors including Cumberbatch and Brian Cox, along with Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlin, singers Paloma Faith and Annie Lennox, and Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos. Josie Naughton, founder of the charity Choose Love – which organised the letter, said: 'Words won't save the lives of Palestinian children as they are being killed, words won't fill their empty stomachs. 'We need action from Keir Starmer now. That means stopping arms sales, making sure that legitimate humanitarian organisations can reach people in Gaza. It means doing everything possible to make these horrors end.' The letter follows Tel Aviv's decision to renew its military offensive in Gaza last week as it presses for what Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called 'total victory' over Hamas. UK ministers have condemned the decision, suspending trade talks with Israel, sanctioning West Bank settlers and summoning the country's ambassador, while Sir Keir himself called for Mr Netanyahu to end the offensive. The Prime Minister also described the situation in Gaza as 'intolerable' and warned of 'the prospect of starvation' due to a lack of humanitarian aid. Ministers have already suspended licences for some arms sales to Israel, but activists have demanded that the Government goes further, imposing a total ban including on parts for the F-35 jet. But the Government has said halting the export of spare F-35 parts is not possible as the UK is part of a global supply network and cannot control where those parts end up. A Government spokesperson said: 'We strongly oppose the expansion of military operations in Gaza and call on the Israeli Government to cease its offensive and immediately allow for unfettered access to humanitarian aid. 'The denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law. 'Last year, we suspended export licences to Israel for items used in military operations in Gaza and continue to refuse licences for military goods that could be used by Israel in the current conflict. 'We urge all parties to urgently agree a ceasefire agreement and work towards a permanent and sustainable peace.'
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Dua Lipa and Gary Lineker join stars calling PM to halt all arms sales to Israel
More than 300 actors, musicians, activists and others used an open letter to call on the Prime Minister to 'take immediate action to end the UK's complicity in the horrors of Gaza'. As well as suspending UK arms sales to Israel, the group urged Sir Keir to 'use all available means' to ensure humanitarian aid gets into the territory and 'make a commitment to the children of Gaza' that he would broker an 'immediate and permanent ceasefire'. The signatories included Lineker, who left his role presenting Match Of The Day earlier this month following a controversy over one of his social media posts about the conflict in Gaza. He was joined by actors including Cumberbatch and Brian Cox, along with Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlin, singers Paloma Faith and Annie Lennox, and Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos. Josie Naughton, founder of the charity Choose Love – which organised the letter, said: 'Words won't save the lives of Palestinian children as they are being killed, words won't fill their empty stomachs. 'We need action from Keir Starmer now. That means stopping arms sales, making sure that legitimate humanitarian organisations can reach people in Gaza. It means doing everything possible to make these horrors end.' The letter follows Tel Aviv's decision to renew its military offensive in Gaza last week as it presses for what Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called 'total victory' over Hamas. UK ministers have condemned the decision, suspending trade talks with Israel, sanctioning West Bank settlers and summoning the country's ambassador, while Sir Keir himself called for Mr Netanyahu to end the offensive. The Prime Minister also described the situation in Gaza as 'intolerable' and warned of 'the prospect of starvation' due to a lack of humanitarian aid. Ministers have already suspended licences for some arms sales to Israel, but activists have demanded that the Government goes further, imposing a total ban including on parts for the F-35 jet. But the Government has said halting the export of spare F-35 parts is not possible as the UK is part of a global supply network and cannot control where those parts end up. A Government spokesperson said: 'We strongly oppose the expansion of military operations in Gaza and call on the Israeli Government to cease its offensive and immediately allow for unfettered access to humanitarian aid. 'The denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law. 'Last year, we suspended export licences to Israel for items used in military operations in Gaza and continue to refuse licences for military goods that could be used by Israel in the current conflict. 'We urge all parties to urgently agree a ceasefire agreement and work towards a permanent and sustainable peace.'
