Legendary football broadcaster and former England striker Gary Lineker chose a classic Premier League encounter to celebrate his 65th birthday on Sunday, making a surprise appearance at Selhurst Park.
A Birthday Outing in South London
The ex-Match of the Day host was spotted in the stands watching Crystal Palace face Manchester United. Lineker witnessed a dramatic turnaround as United came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory, with goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount sealing all three points for the visitors.
TNT Sports cameras captured the birthday boy during the first half, with commentators Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist giving him a special on-air birthday shoutout to mark the occasion.
Family Tributes and Career Moves
The personal celebrations continued online, where Lineker's son, George, posted a heartfelt birthday tribute on Instagram. "Happy birthday to the old man. Keep smashing it," the message read. The proud father promptly reshared the post on his own Instagram stories for his millions of followers to see.
The birthday comes during a period of professional transition for Lineker. He has been without a regular presenting role since his widely-publicised departure from Match of the Day in May 2025. At the time of his exit, he was the programme's longest-serving host, having fronted the BBC's flagship football show since 1999.
However, a television comeback is on the horizon. Last month, Lineker announced he would be returning to screens to host ITV's upcoming new programme, The Box. Filming is scheduled for later this year, with the show set to broadcast in 2026.
Discussing his new role, Lineker said he "can't wait" and drew parallels with his footballing past. "I've always felt right at home in the box on a football pitch and whilst this is a different proposition, the fundamentals are similar," he explained. He described the show as "unpredictable and thrilling" and expressed his excitement at having a "front row seat to all the action".
United Bounce Back with Crucial Win
Lineker's birthday treat was also a crucial match for the visiting team. Manchester United's victory ensured they bounced back from a dismal home defeat to Everton just days earlier. That loss had ended an encouraging five-match unbeaten run for the Red Devils.
When asked about his team's position in the top six after the game, United manager Amorim focused on his squad's development. "In this moment I just want to evaluate our team," he stated. "We need to evolve and create variety in how we build-up - that's the most important thing."
