Leicester City legend Gary Lineker pens love letter to Premier League leaders
The 55-year-old scored 95 goals for the Foxes between 1978-85 before later spells with Everton and Barcelona
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Gary Lineker has penned a heartfelt love letter to boyhood club Leicester City as they embark on the final nine matches of their remarkable Premier League title bid.
The 55-year-old Match of the Day presenter scored 95 goals for the Foxes between 1978-85 before later enjoying successful spells elsewhere with Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham.
Under the stewardship of Claudio Ranieri, the Italian manager who the former England striker described as an ‘uninspiring choice’ to succeed Nigel Pearson, Leicester sit atop of the Premier League table by two points with nine matches remaining.
Writing in the Guardian, ahead of the East Midlands club's meeting with Newcastle United this evening, Lineker said: “What we are witnessing, should Leicester go on to win the title, is quite possibly the most unlikely triumph in the history of team sport.
“A collection of individuals who couldn’t win a football match for love nor money a year ago have turned into an invincible force. A team with a spirit and togetherness the like of which the game has seldom seen. All beautifully held together by the canny, inspirational – yes, inspirational – Tinkerman.
“So how do we fathom the unfathomable? It couldn’t, as has been mooted by some, be down to the fact that Richard III was buried in Leicester around the same time as the Foxes revival began, could it? A Premier League crown? Superstitious nonsense, surely?”
In October 2002, with Leicester facing the very real threat of liquidation, Lineker invested a six-figure sum into a £5m rescue fund for the then-ailing club which ultimately saved them from being consigned to history.
Following on from this evening’s King Power Stadium duel against Newcastle, a favourable sequence of fixtures awaits, including clashes against Crystal Palace (away), Southampton (home), Sunderland (away), West Ham (home) and Swansea City (home).
Trips to Manchester United and Chelsea then sandwich a home meeting with Everton in the final three dates of the season.
Lineker added: “It remains to be seen whether Leicester can see this through. It could all fall apart in the home stretch. This most unreal of dreams could turn into a miserable reality. I hope not.
“I don’t think I have ever wanted something to happen more in sport in my entire life.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments