AliousBefore becoming a household name in football broadcasting, *Match of the Day* host Gary Lineker was one of the most prolific strikers of his generation, best known for his goal-scoring exploits with Everton and Tottenham Hotspur. Remarkably, despite playing over 600 games across a 15-year career — much of it spent battling defenders in the heart of the opposition’s penalty area — Lineker never received a single booking.
His goal tally speaks for itself: 233 goals at club level and 48 for England. However, even a forward of Lineker’s caliber faced his fair share of tough battles on the pitch. Reflecting on his playing days during *The Rest is Football* podcast in 2014, Lineker was asked to name the hardest defenders he ever came up against — and two names immediately sprang to mind.
Des Walker — Nottingham Forest Legend
The first player Lineker highlighted was Nottingham Forest icon Des Walker. Widely regarded as one of Forest’s greatest-ever players, Walker’s speed, anticipation, and defensive prowess made life extremely difficult for even the sharpest of strikers.
Lineker faced Forest 16 times during his career, netting eight goals — but they were never easily earned. Walker’s reputation at the City Ground was so immense that fans famously chanted, *“You’ll never beat Des Walker.”*
Walker’s achievements speak volumes. Across two spells at Forest — interrupted by stints at Sheffield Wednesday and Sampdoria — he won five of the seven cup finals he played at Wembley and was crowned the club’s Player of the Year three times (1986/87, 1989/90, and 1991/92). With 408 appearances for the club, Walker’s status as a defensive rock left a lasting impression on Lineker.
Paul McGrath — Aston Villa & Manchester United Stalwart
The second name that came to Lineker’s mind was Paul McGrath, the legendary Irish defender who built his reputation at Manchester United and Aston Villa. Known as *“God”* by Villa fans, McGrath’s blend of strength, composure, and reading of the game made him a nightmare for opposing forwards.
Lineker openly admitted, *“Probably, from my time, Des Walker and Paul McGrath… I struggled against him. Very good.”*
McGrath’s accolades are just as impressive. He is one of only six defenders to ever win the prestigious PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, claiming the honor during the inaugural Premier League season in 1992/93 — a campaign where Villa finished second behind his former club Manchester United.
Additionally, McGrath was named Aston Villa’s Player of the Year for five consecutive seasons from 1989 to 1993, a testament to his consistent brilliance at the back. On the international stage, he earned 83 caps for the Republic of Ireland, featuring in three major tournaments between 1985 and 1997. His legacy was further cemented with his induction into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
### **Two Defensive Titans**
While Lineker battled against countless elite defenders throughout his career — including Alan Hansen, Tony Adams, and Phil Neal — it was Des Walker and Paul McGrath who stood out as his toughest opponents. Their combination of physicality, tactical intelligence, and defensive mastery made even one of England’s greatest strikers struggle.
For Lineker, those battles may be a thing of the past — but the impact of facing two of football’s finest defenders clearly remains fresh in his mind.
Alious
