Gary Lineker: 'I am very proud to receive this award'

The Auditori 1899 at Spotify Camp Nou was the venue for the ceremony to award the XV International Manuel Vázquez Montalbán Journalism award on Monday. The recipient of the prize this year was the former Barça player and broadcaster Gary Lineker. The award was presented to the ex-blaugrana by Anna Sallés, widow of the famous journalist and writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, in the presence of FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta and the Dean of the Catalan College of Journalists, Joan Maria Morros. 

The FC Barcelona vice president Elena Fora announced the jury's decision, highlighting the winner's "capacity to communicate, his ironic and critical way of looking at football and his love for Barça." Lineker, a Barça player between 1986 and 1989, began working in broadcasting after hanging up his boots. Since then he has made his name at the BBC in the United Kingdom where he is most famous for presenting its flagship football programme, Match of the Day.  Currently, he is an ambassador for La Liga and also acts as an analyst in the UK and the Republic of Ireland for LaLiga TV. 

“A reference point in European sport and for Barça fans”

During his speech, Joan Laporta described Lineker as “a reference point in European sport and for Barça fans." The Barça president went on to laud the former striker as one of the "best goalscorers in history," before thanking him for travelling to Barcelona to receive the award in person. Laporta highlighted Lineker's "personal view, always friendly but rigorous" of football, pointing out that these were also characteristics of Vázquez Montalbán's work. 

The former England striker professed to feeling "very proud" to receive the award, in particular as it is an "very important distinction in the world of journalism," adding his respect for those who have previously won the prize. 

Praise for the first team

Speaking to the jury member and journalist Jordi Basté during the event, Lineker touched on the hard work necessary to became a broadcaster and then one of the most identifiable figures in the field in the English speaking world. Basté praised his ability to communicate in front of the camera. 

There was time also to touch on his career at Barça and the current state of the team. Lineker pointed out the important presence of "several very good young players." He also praised coach Xavi: "Being Barça boss is not easy but up until now he is doing a good job," he admitted. The Englishman also recognised the talent of striker Lewandowski and Pedri, the latter being "exceptional and different to other players; he has everything." 

Award history 

The award began in 2004 in memory of the journalist and writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán and it rewards journalistic careers in two categories: cultural and political, and sporting. This second category is overseen by the Catalan College of Journalists and FC Barcelona, and comes with a prize of 6,000 euros and a commemorative sculpture. 

Former winners of the Manuel Vázquez Montalbán award for Sports Journalism:

· 2004: Patrick Mignon
· 2005: Joaquim Maria Puyal
· 2006: Juan Villoro
· 2007: Simon Kuper
· 2008: Candido Cannavò
· 2009: Ramon Besa
· 2010: Eduardo Galeano
· 2011: Santiago Segurola
· 2012: Nick Hornby
· 2013: Sergi Pàmies
· 2014: Eduardo Gonçalves de Andrade ‘Tostão’
· 2017: Michael Robinson
· 2018: Emanuela Audisio
· 2019: Jorge Valdano

In 2015 and 2016 the prize was not awarded. In 2020 it was not awarded due to the Covid-19 pandemic.