Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer, born on August 13, 1970, is a distinguished English football pundit and former player who made his mark as a prolific striker. Renowned as one of the finest forwards of his era, Shearer holds the prestigious title of the all-time leading goalscorer in Premier League history. His remarkable talent was recognized early in his career when he earned the Football Writers' Association Player of the Year award in 1994, followed by the PFA Player of the Year award in 1995. In 1996, he achieved significant international acclaim by finishing third for both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year honors. Additionally, he was named one of the greatest living players by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list in 2004 and became one of the inaugural inductees into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021.

Shearer began his professional journey at Southampton in 1988, later transferring to Blackburn Rovers in 1992, where he contributed to their 1994-95 Premier League triumph and secured two Golden Boots. His move to Newcastle United in 1996 for a then record fee of £15 million saw him lead the club to the FA Cup finals in 1998 and 1999, ultimately becoming their all-time top scorer before retiring after the 2005-06 season.

On the international stage, Shearer represented England 63 times, netting 30 goals, with a standout performance during UEFA Euro 1996, where he was awarded the Golden Boot. After his playing days, he transitioned to a successful career as a BBC pundit and briefly managed Newcastle United in 2009. Shearer's accolades include being appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and receiving honorary doctorates from Northumbria and Newcastle Universities.