Former England footballer Matt Le Tissier reignited his long-running feud with Gary Lineker this week, throwing shade at the Match of the Day host with a cryptic comment.
During a podcast appearance, Le Tissier boldly claimed that Lineker is “not the angel he likes to portray himself as.”
When pressed for details, he mysteriously hinted, “We’ll probably only find out all these things after Gary passes away…”
His remarks left fans buzzing with speculation. What “skeletons” could Le Tissier be referring to? And why has Lineker, despite being no stranger to controversy, always managed to maintain his golden-boy reputation?
A Love Life That’s Never Tarnished His Image
Throughout his 16-year football career, Lineker was in a relationship with his childhood sweetheart, Michelle Cockayne.
They tied the knot in 1986 and had four sons together before calling it quits in 2006.
Reports at the time suggested Lineker had been exchanging “steamy” messages with a brunette and had confided in her that his marriage would soon be over.
Michelle later filed for divorce, citing “unreasonable behavior” that caused her stress and anxiety.
Not long after, Lineker was romantically linked with model Kate Hallam.
The two reportedly enjoyed candlelit dinners and cozy nights in, but the romance fizzled out after their messages went public.
Then, there was the wealthy Denise Moore, whose marriage reportedly ended after she was spotted sunbathing topless with Lineker in Barbados.
Her husband denied any affair, but the rumors persisted.
Eventually, Lineker found love again with model and actress Danielle Bux, who was 18 years his junior.
They married in 2009 but divorced in 2016, reportedly due to differing views on having more children.
Despite their split, they’ve remained close friends and were even spotted having dinner together years later.
Lineker’s View on Romance and Life After Marriage
Following his split from Danielle, Lineker has been open about his personal life, even admitting in a 2021 interview that he has become less interested in intimacy as he gets older. “I am still single.
I am not going down that route!” he said, adding that he’s had “two really good marriages” and remains friends with both ex-wives.
While he didn’t rule out another romance in the future, he expressed being content with his current life.
In November last year, Lineker was seen enjoying a night out with visual artist Leila Bartell at a trendy London restaurant.
Bartell, a former law student turned painter and film director, has since been linked to the football legend, though neither has confirmed a relationship.
The Tax Controversy That Nearly Cost Him Millions
While Le Tissier’s cryptic comments fueled curiosity about Lineker’s personal life, the former footballer recently resolved a controversy that could have been far more damaging.
For years, he battled the UK tax authority over a staggering £4.9 million bill.
HMRC argued that Lineker should have been considered an employee of the BBC and BT Sport rather than a freelancer between 2013 and 2018.
Last year, a court ruled in Lineker’s favor, but HMRC appealed.
The matter was finally settled when tax officials withdrew their appeal, allowing Lineker to avoid a massive financial hit.
Fashion Choices That Sparked a Scandal
Just when it seemed like Lineker had put controversies behind him, he found himself in hot water again—this time over a jacket.
During England’s opening match at Euro 2024, Lineker was seen wearing a pale green T-shirt and sage jacket from his own menswear line.
Viewers were quick to notice, and soon after, reports emerged that the £55 jackets were produced by workers in Bangladesh earning just 44p an hour.
The backlash was swift, with critics accusing him of hypocrisy given his outspoken social justice stance.
Le Tissier’s Ongoing Criticism of Lineker
Le Tissier, no stranger to controversy himself, has long been vocal about his disdain for Lineker.
In 2023, he bluntly stated, “Gary Lineker is no saint. Not in any way, shape, or form.”
He went on to suggest that Lineker has “friends in high places” who have shielded him from scrutiny.
More recently, Le Tissier pointed to footballer Joey Barton as someone with inside knowledge of Lineker’s alleged past misdeeds.
“Ask Joey Barton!” he urged in his latest podcast appearance, hinting that Barton had previously challenged Lineker but was met with silence.
A Career That Remained Untainted—Until Now
Despite his growing list of controversies, Lineker’s reputation has largely remained intact—especially compared to other footballers who have faced media scrutiny.
As a player, he earned a reputation as football’s “Mr. Nice Guy,” never receiving a single yellow or red card in his career.
He was an England captain, a top goal-scorer, and later, one of the most recognizable football pundits in the UK.
However, since stepping off the pitch, he has found himself at the center of political debates, public feuds, and personal scandals.
His outspoken political views, including comparing the UK government’s asylum policies to Nazi Germany, have made him a polarizing figure.
The BBC briefly suspended him over the controversy, leading to a mass walkout from fellow presenters in solidarity.
The backlash forced the network to reinstate him and clarify its impartiality guidelines.
As Lineker prepares to leave Match of the Day at the end of the season, one thing is clear—whether loved or loathed, he remains one of football’s most talked-about figures.
And if Le Tissier’s hints hold any weight, the story of Gary Lineker may still have more twists to come.