Gary Lineker Pays Emotional Tribute to Alan Hansen During Euro 2024 Broadcast

Gary Lineker delivered a heartfelt tribute to his former Match of the Day co-host, Alan Hansen, who is currently in a serious condition in the hospital, during the live broadcast of Italy‘s Euro 2024 opener against Albania.

Hansen, a legendary figure in the footballing world from Scotland, has received an outpouring of support with thoughts coming from individuals and teams including Liverpool and Scotland manager Steve Clarke‘s squad.

Having spent two decades at the BBC working on Match of the Day, Hansen’s sudden illness has shaken the football community, prompting Lineker to lead the well-wishes by expressing his thoughts for Hansen and his family.

During the coverage of the Italy vs Albania game, Lineker, visibly emotional, took a moment to address his long-time colleague, mentioning how tough the news had been for everyone associated with the show.

Lineker, alongside another pundit Alan Shearer, highlighted Hansen’s strong character, emphasizing his fighting spirit and strength, while expressing their hopes for his recovery.

In a touching message, Lineker extended love and thoughts to Hansen’s wife Janet, daughter Lucy, son Adam, and grandchildren, drawing an analogy from golf, a sport dear to Hansen, to exemplify his competitive nature and resilience.

A former Liverpool player, Hansen enjoyed a successful football career before transitioning to a broadcast role, becoming a familiar face on Match of the Day from 1992 until his retirement in 2014, covering numerous significant football events including FA Cup finals, World Cups, European Championships, and the Olympics.

Liverpool Football Club, where Hansen achieved great success as a player, expressed their support for the former captain, lauding his on-field achievements and current battle with illness.

Graeme Souness, another ex-teammate of Hansen, offered prayers for his recovery, describing him as a remarkable individual and a beloved figure both on and off the field.

Before concluding the tribute, Lineker and his pundit colleagues also remembered the late Kevin Campbell and Matija Sarkic, acknowledging the somber day in the football world due to their passing.