Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer heaped praise on Jamie Vardy after the Leicester City talisman recently announced he is to leave the club at the end of the season. The 38-year-old joined Leicester in 2012 from non-league side Fleetwood Town and went on to become the club’s record Premier League scorer.
Vardy also scored 24 times in the club’s breathtaking 2015/16 season, where his goals helped Leicester clinch the Premier League title in one of the game’s biggest ever fairytales. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker, who bagged 103 goals for the club himself, eulogised over the star, showing his admiration with a classy message, reports Leicestershire Live.
“I want to finish this episode, because we haven’t had the chance to do it, I wanted all three of us at the same time to talk about Jamie Vardy,” he said, alongside fellow pundits Micah Richards and Shearer.
“Because he obviously announced that he’s leaving Leicester after more than a decade there,” the former England striker added, before quipping that Vardy is the club’s “second greatest” striker after Emile Heskey, omitting himself.
“But I’d like to just thank Jamie for all he’s done for Leicester City Football Club. He’s inimitable. He can be a bit of a s***house at times on the pitch for everyone, but I always think in a brilliant way. He’s been one of the game’s great finishers.
“He’s done some incredible things. He was part of obviously the title-winning team in 2016 and then the FA Cup-winning team as well. He’s been incredibly consistent and has very much been an absolute hero of all Leicester City fans. So thank you, Jamie Vardy, and good luck with whatever comes next.”
Shearer then joined in the chorus of praise, highlighting Vardy’s loyalty to Leicester despite having opportunities to move elsewhere. “It’s been a brilliant story of his, hasn’t it,” he added.
“It’s been an incredible story. Don’t forget the time where he could have left. Arsenal were chasing him massively. But what a story, good luck to whatever he does, whether he chooses to go out and play in the sunshine or wherever. He deserves whatever he chooses next.”
Vardy announced his decision on April 24. In a video, he claimed the time was right to walk away, while making clear there’s more to come in his storied career.
“To the fans of Leicester, I’m gutted that this day is coming, but I knew it was going to come eventually,” he said. “I’ve spent 13 unbelievable years at this club, with lots of success, and some downs.
“But the majority have all been highs. It’s finally time to call it a day, which I’m devastated about, but I think the timing is right.
“Leicester will always, always have a massive place in my heart. This isn’t retirement. I want to keep on playing and doing what I enjoy most – scoring goals. I may be 38 but I still have the desire and ambition to achieve so much more.”
Vardy has scored 198 goals in 498 appearances for Leicester. He has scored eight so far this season, but his contributions in front of goal were not enough to prevent the club from being relegated to the Championship with five games left to play.
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