Sports

Gary Lineker: A sorry end to a BBC career

Published

1 year ago

May 19, 2025

This is a sorry end to a long BBC career. Gary Lineker was among the corporation’s highest-paid presenters for a reason – he is popular with audiences, knowledgeable and brilliant at his job.

But it’s an understatement to suggest he has also caused problems for his BBC bosses over the years, as their high-profile football host began to morph into a presenter with opinions that he voiced on social media.

In the end, those two things were increasingly in conflict.

This has always been about reputation management for the BBC. Lineker had already, in the eyes of BBC bosses, caused the corporation damage with previous social media posts. Mistakenly sharing a video about Zionism, which included a rat emoj,i was the final straw.

It was difficult to see how he could continue presenting for the corporation, particularly at a time when the BBC is enmeshed in another controversy surrounding a documentary about Gaza, which it pulled after discovering the child narrator was the son of a Hamas official.

I think what’s different is that on this occasion, Lineker regrets his actions. He has appeared bullish about previous posts, saying that while he regretted damaging the BBC, he didn’t believe, for example, that comparing the language of a Conservative asylum policy to that of 1930s Germany was wrong.

Lineker is genuinely upset by what happened. He is mortified that he reposted the video. His relationship with the BBC is coming to an end in circumstances nobody would have wanted, but some might have predicted.

He seemed unable or unwilling to accept that his high profile might prevent him from voicing strongly-held views that many believed had an impact on the BBC’s need for impartiality.

We live increasingly in an age when people want to express their opinions, and often do. Social media has given everyone a platform, and high-profile media figures have huge followings.

He could not keep quiet. In the end, it brought him down.

But he is a successful podcast entrepreneur, owning a third of the shares in Goalhanger, the company behind hit shows including The Rest is History and The Rest is Politics.

I would also not be surprised if he does appear in the future on TV, perhaps even as a presenter of the World Cup for another outlet.

He has shown contrition, but it has been a damaging few days.

myjoyonline.com

Football

Timeless Messi: Four-Goal Haul, Solo Wonder Goal And 7-1 Rout

Published

6 days ago

August 30, 2026

AladdynKing

Inter Miami ended their slump with an emphatic 7-1 thrashing of Montreal. Lionel Messi stole the show with a sensational four-goal haul, including a breathtaking solo strike after slaloming past three defenders.

The Argentine maestro, who also weighed in with an assist, delivered a performance for the ages. He got his first strike after his curling free-kick took a heavy deflection off Petrasso.

The No. 10’s second goal was a pure work of art. Collecting the ball from Luis Suarez on the edge of the ‘D’, the forward danced past three defenders in tight quarters before finishing clinically on his right foot. His third arrived via a trademark chipped finish after being slipped clean through on the goalkeeper. Finally, at 6-1, Lionel Messi capped the rout with a signature masterpiece: a sublime free-kick from the edge of the area.

Inter Miami brought an emphatic end to their recent slump ahead of Kily Gonzalez taking the managerial reins. In contrast, Messi, the leading marksman in MLS, took another step towards the landmark of 1,000 career goals, lifting his elite-level tally to 927.

besoccer.com

Football

BREAKING: Barcelona Reach Agreement With Arsenal For Gabriel Jesus

Published

6 days ago

August 30, 2026

AladdynKing

According to Fabrizio Romano, Barca have struck a deal with Arsenal to sign Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian will bolster the Blaugrana attack following the collapsed move for Julian Alvarez.

According to the report, both clubs have settled on a transfer fee of €10 million plus add-ons for the Brazil international.

The Italian journalist claims the transfer is fully sealed, with Gabriel Jesus scheduled to fly to Barcelona on Monday for a medical after receiving the green light from Arsenal.

At 29 years of age, the Brazilian striker departs the Gunners following four injury-hit seasons, during which he tallied 32 goals in 123 appearances. He is set to join Hansi Flick’s FC Barcelona, finally providing the German manager with a proven reinforcement in the No. 9 position after the exits of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.

🚨🔵🔴 BREAKING: Barcelona agree deal to sign Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal, here we go!

Exclusive details: medical booked on Monday, #AFC to receive €10m package plus add-ons for permament deal.

Gabriel Jesus will travel for medical as authorized by Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/Y4nFKERn3y
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2026

besoccer.com

Football

Real Madrid To Sign Marc Cucurella From Chelsea

Published

3 months ago

June 14, 2026

AladdynKing

According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid and Chelsea have verbally agreed to sign Marc Cucurella. All parties, including the player, are believed to have agreed on the transaction; just the final details are still pending.

It is anticipated that the transaction will be completed for about 50 million euros. Romano claims that Jose Mourinho has made a special request to bolster the left-back position. Cucurella will join the Spanish powerhouses ahead of the upcoming season after leaving Chelsea following the World Cup.

The La Masia graduate is expected to make a significant transfer to the Catalan team’s fiercest rivals. Cucurella earned La Liga experience while playing for Eibar and Getafe before joining the Premier League.

Because of his performances, he was transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion, where he made an impression before landing a job at Chelsea. He made 50 appearances for the London team in 2025–2026, including 34 in the Premier League, and recorded one goal and four assists.