Football legend Gary Lineker was on hand as the Baller League kicked off its second season, taking in the action from the stands this time. Having stepped away from managing, he watched as his old team Deportrio, now under Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge, faced off against Alan Shearer and Ian Wright’s Wembley Rangers. Lineker shared with Sky Sports that he opted out of management because he couldn’t keep pace with Micah’s exuberance on the sideline, though he also joked about Wright’s animated style.
As the match unfolded, it was former teammates Shearer and Wright who had the edge, with Wembley Rangers securing a 3-2 victory over Deportrio. Lineker cheekily remarked he might have sided with the winning team, sticking with his ‘old boys’ club. However, when asked if he had any words of wisdom for Richards and Sturridge, Lineker delivered some tough love: “Own it, live with it, deal with it and move onto the next game,” he said.
Despite having former Premier League talents like Oumar Niasse and Stephen Ireland, Deportrio couldn’t catch up, managing only a consolation goal. Other ex-pros making waves in the league include John Bostock with a stunning free-kick for Yanited, and Yasin Ben El-Mhanni finding the net for VZN FC.
Baller League CEO Felix Starck shed light on Lineker’s departure, noting how time-consuming the league can be. Even John Terry, a regular participant, has admitted it monopolises his schedule but still claims it’s the best gig. For Lineker, with a crammed calendar, he needed to truly love the project to stay on board.
The competition promises excitement with its mix of legendary players and new thrills on the pitch. Is Micah and Sturridge’s team poised for a comeback? Stay tuned to find out! 🏆⚽️