Gary Lineker has claimed a Man United legend missed the closing stages of his former club’s remarkable comeback win against Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final as he left the Nou Camp early.
Having already won the Premier League and FA Cup, United headed into the European final in search of a historic Treble, but fell behind to a Mario Basler free-kick in the sixth minute.
Without the suspended Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side looked set to fall short in Barcelona, but they scored twice in added time through Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to complete a stunning turnaround.
Recalling the iconic final from 25 years ago, Lineker told The Rest Is Football podcast: ‘I was at that game in 1999, and I sat behind George Best.
Gary Lineker has revealed a Man United icon missed the last 15 minutes of the 1999 Champions League final
George Best, widely regarded as one of United’s greatest players, got up and left with 15 minutes to go when the Red Devils were losing 1-0
Teddy Sheringham then equalised for United in the first minute of added time
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer completed the remarkable turnaround in the third minute of injury time
‘George Best left the ground with about 15 minutes to go. He did, bless him. And he missed the magical moment!’
Best is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever wear a United shirt, having won two league titles and the European Cup with the club in the 1960s.
But he was not in his seat when the Red Devils completed the Treble and won their second European Cup in 1999.
Best spent 11 years of his illustrious career at Old Trafford between 1963 and 1974, and visited the Theatre of Dreams following his playing days.
United won their second European Cup and completed the Treble on that night in Barcelona, but Best was not in his seat to witness it
He passed away in 2005 at the age of 59 due to a lung infection and multiple organ failure.
Lineker admitted that the memorable night did not go perfectly for him either after he lost a prized possession in the aftermath of United’s winner.
‘I lost my wallet when Manchester United scored their second!’ he added.
‘I lost it. It was so exciting at the end of the game. I jumped up and I think it fell out of my pocket – or it got lifted at that point.’
Also Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celebrity News
