Gary Lineker – Fortunebets

Gary Lineker has joined La Liga TV as part of their coverage for the upcoming Spanish football season.

Lineker revealed in May that he was leaving his position as host of BT Sport’s Champions League coverage, finishing up after the final between Chelsea and Man City.

He is now taking on a new role in presenting ‘key fixtures’ in La Liga and will also be involved in their studio programme, which is broadcast live from Barcelona.

“I’m thrilled to become a part of LaLigaTV, a channel I’ve watched every weekend for the last two seasons” said Lineker, who featured for FC Barcelona from 1986 to 1989, scoring 42 goals in 103 league appearances.

“I have fond memories of my time playing in Spain and very much look forward to sharing the excitement of LaLiga with viewers in the UK and elsewhere.”

Lineker is to continue presenting BBC’s Match of the Day programme. La Liga TV was launched in the UK and Ireland in January 2020, as a result of a partnership with Premier Sports.

The new season begins on Friday 13 August. Champions Atletico Madrid take on Celta Vigo on the opening weekend, Real Madrid face Deportivo Alaves while Barcelona are at home to Real Sociedad.

Gary Lineker is to leave his position as host of BT Sport’s Champions League coverage – to follow former club Leicester in Europe as a fan next season.

The ex-England captain and BBC’s Match of the Day frontman has presented the channel’s coverage for six years but is quitting despite being offered a new deal to stay on.

His final match will be Saturday’s all-English Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City.

“I would like to thank BT Sport for the generous renewal offer but, after much thought, I have decided to call it a day,” Lineker wrote on Twitter.

“I feel it’s time to do things that I’ve always promised myself I’d do: such as follow Leicester across Europe with my sons (how many opportunities will we have?).”

Leicester are due to play in the Europa League again next season after finishing fifth in the Premier League for the second successive year.

The Foxes reached the last 32 of the 2020/21 competition before being knocked out by Slavia Prague.

A tweet from BT Sport said: “Thanks so much for everything, Gary! A legend of the game, and a legend of broadcasting. We’ll miss you, enjoy your away days!”

Lineker, who turned 60 in November, is among the BBC’s highest-paid presenters.

It was announced in September 2020 that he had signed a new five-year contract with the broadcaster, with a 23 per cent pay cut – from £1.75 million (€2 million) to around £1.35 million.

He has four sons with his first wife Michelle Cockayne.