In the wave of athletes retiring and then switching to being sports commentators, there are many famous names. However, to be truly successful, making its mark as a "second profession" and not just a shadow of the past, Gary Lineker and Thierry Henry are two typical examples of Europe in the past few decades. They not only pass on football knowledge but also reshape the role of modern sports commentators: Cordiant, individual, and create a clear social impact.
Gary Lineker: From "The Top Scorer" to the King of English Sports Television
Gary Lineker was a famous striker with a career spanning from Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona to Tottenham, as well as the England team. He scored 48 goals in 80 matches for the "Three Lions", won the 1986 World Cup Top Scorer title, and is famous for his smart play, never receiving a penalty card.
That calmness is a big advantage when Lineker switches to communications. After retiring in 1994, he was quickly invited to collaborate with the BBC. In 1999, Lineker officially became the main host of " Match of the Day" - the longest-running and most influential sports program in the UK.
Not just introducing the match, Lineker brings a humorous, sharp delivery style, and does not hesitate to express his opinions. He often invites former players such as Alan Shearer, Ian Wright... to create a multi-dimensional and close commentary space.
It is worth mentioning that Lineker also does not avoid political and social issues. In 2023, he was embroiled in controversy when he posted a tweet criticizing the UK Government's immigration policy. The BBC temporarily suspended him, but a strong wave of support from the public forced the station to invite Lineker back after only a few days. The incident became a milestone in freedom of speech in the sports press.
In addition to television, Lineker also founded the media company Goalhanger - which produces sports, historical and social podcasts with tens of millions of monthly listeners. He is also one of the most influential voices on issues such as Qatar World Cup human rights, LGBT rights in football, or climate change.
This past May, Gary Lineker ended his work at " Match of the Day". He will continue to officiate FA Cup matches on BBC next season, and the 2026 World Cup before the end of his contract. He did not plan to join another TV company to focus on podsets.
Lineker's requising observations and easy-to-play jokes with experts like former England captain Alan Shearer have made Match of the Day an official show for millions of British households, despite the live broadcast being almost all- peristent on subscription platforms.
Lineker is expanding its sports investment portfolio, leading the BBC's Golf reporting segment and being the representative face of the group's London Olympic reporting segment for the 2012 Olympics.
He has proven that being on sports TV is not only "talking about goals" but also a social responsibility. For him, this is not a secondary profession after retirement - it is a second more serious and influential career than when he was playing.
Thierry Henry: Bringing tactics to the small screen
Thierry Henry is not only one of the best strikers in the history of Arsenal and the French national team, but also a cultural football icon of the world in the 2000s. With an artistic playing style, Henry has scored more than 360 goals in his career and won all titles: World Cup 1998, EURO 2000, Champions League with Barcelona, and 2 Premier League times with Arsenal.
After parting ways with his football and coaching career, Henry began appearing as a commentator, first for Sky Sports, then CBS Sports (USA) and Amazon Prime. But unlike many former football stars who simply commented, Henry brings the language of in-depth analysis - the language that only those who have been at the top of football can understand.
A typical example is when he analyzed Liverpool's pressing style or Man City's skewed defensive system. Henry did not use the saying "must be stronger" or "lacking determination", but went straight to the tactics: The way the central defender rotates, the time the midfielder recovers the ball, the way the full-back creates depth. His analysis sections are often strongly shared on social networks because of their depth, concision and intuition.
At CBS Sports, Henry, along with Micah Richards and Jamie Carragher, formed the most attractive commentary trio in Europe. Among them is not only knowledge but also stage chemistry - with cold Henry, humorous Micah and sharp Carragher. Thanks to this balance, CBS's programs are often highly appreciated for their entertainment and professional depth.
Not only that, Henry is also a strong voice on race issues in football. He once left social media to protest the platforms' inability to control malicious language. He also spoke frankly about the lack of colorful coaches in the Premier League, thereby creating a positive impact in European football.
When commenting is not just a left-handed profession
The success of Gary Lineker and Thierry Henry clearly shows: Sports commentary is no longer a place for former players to " Earn more" after retirement. With serious investment, clear personality and deep understanding, they have turned sports communication into an independent, influential and creative career.
They also contribute to renewing the way the audience feels about football: Not only a game of goals and victories, but also a product of intelligence, society, and politics. Lineker leads viewers to the story behind the scenes. Henry took them into the tactical dressing room of top teams.
Thanks to that, they are not just football storytelers. They are the ones who create the way others understand and love the king of sports in the 21st century.
Gary Lineker and Thierry Henry - each have their own style, their own path. The former English striker did not choose the path of coaching, while the former French football legend had 6 years of coaching but was unsuccessful. However, they are all typical models for athletes to successfully transform into the media. They prove that sports and media are not separate, and a second career can sometimes be more brilliant and influential than on the pitch.
Their success is also a reminder for the new generation of athletes: Prepare for the retirement day not with fear, but with the desire to continue writing the story of your life - on television, in the studio, or on new media platforms of the digital age.
My commenting style is more or less similar to what I do in the living room, when explaining the action to my friends. The difference on TV is that you don't always have time to explain everything. There is not always a chance to talk about the parts of the game that you want to talk about, Thierry Henry.
