Gary Lineker controversially left Liverpool out of his list of the world's top three football clubs, instead naming Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United as the elite trio.

The Reds have a long-standing rivalry with United and have had their hearts broken by Barcelona and Real Madrid on multiple occasions.

Los Blancos have triumphed over Liverpool in two Champions League finals since 2018.



Meanwhile, both Barcelona and Madrid have lured key players away from Anfield, including Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is expected to arrive at the Bernabeu on a free transfer.

Gary Lineker named three biggest clubs in the world with Liverpool snubbed	Liverpool brutally snubbed by Gary Lineker when he named world's three biggest clubs	England squad named as Liverpool star Curtis Jones included alongside shock recall

Despite Liverpool boasting six major European titles – more than Barcelona's five and United's three – Lineker, believes all three sides are larger than Liverpool.

While speaking to La Liga TV in 2023, he said: "I think in the world's big three football clubs, it's probably Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United in terms of stature.

"We all know Real Madrid is a proper football club.

I'm biased towards Barcelona [as a former player], we don't love Real Madrid in Barcelona to put it mildly.

"But they are a sensational football club and an incredibly successful football club that play brilliant football."

This weekend marks Lineker's final appearance presenting Match of the Day.

Originally, he was set to bow out only from Premier League highlights duties, but continue with live FA Cup games next season and the 2026 World Cup, before walking away from the BBC.

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Liverpool have suffered all sorts of pain at the hands of Real Madrid.
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