England's 5 greatest footballers of all time

Modified Apr 29, 2019 19:51 GMT

England's World Cup winning team of 1966

#4 Gary Lineker

It is often said that a player’s true worth can be gauged by his performances on big occasions and if we go by that logic, there are very few English footballers who can match Gary Lineker’s exploits. He scored 10 goals in the two World Cups he played in and also won the Golden Boot in the Mexico World Cup in 1986 by scoring 6 goals.

Lineker scored 4 more in the 1990 World Cup including one in the semifinal against West Germany, which England lost on a penalty shootout. He scored 48 goals in 80 international appearances for England in an international career spanning 8 years. He also finished runner-up in Ballon d’Or in 1986.

Lineker also had a very successful career with English clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City. He also remains one of the few English footballers to have had a successful stint in the Spanish League. Lineker won the Cup Winners’ Cup for FC Barcelona and the FA Cup for Tottenham.

He scored 221 goals from 406 matches in his club career and remains one of the most prolific English strikers of all time. Lineker’s opportunism, quick turns and ability to shoot from a tight space set him apart from most of the other strikers of his generation.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee