Gary Lineker to manage team in Baller League UK alongside BBC colleagues Alan Shearer & Micah Richards as U.S. version featuring Ronaldinho is also launched

A new Baller League is set to launch in both the United Kingdom and the United States in 2025 and will see Lineker join a host of big-names in becoming managers. The former England striker, along with pundits Shearer and Richards, will join ex-Arsenal stars Jens Lehmann, Robert Pires, and Freddie Ljungberg, Chelsea legend John Terry and Portuguese icon Luis Figo as team managers. In the U.S. version, none other than Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho will feature.

The new competition is described as a "forward-thinking" and "hyper-exciting" brand of football by its creators. It is a competitive six-a-side football league of 12 teams that contains "new rules to excite fans". Games are played over two halves lasting 15 minutes each in an indoor environment. YouTube star KSI has been named as the president of the UK version, while IShowSpeed will take up the same role for the U.S. edition.

Baller League CEO, Felix Starck, said in a press release: “Baller League is a brand new way to consume football. We’re redefining how the game is played by bringing an exhilarating and authentic approach to football, and one that will appeal to current fans along with future generations. Baller League is all about forward-thinking, aggressive, hyper-exciting football. We’re about creating a version of the game that’s impossible to ignore - thrilling, bold and packed with excitement.”

Absolutely anyone can apply to play in the Baller League, including former professionals and free agents, with trials to be held in London and Manchester.

The new tournament is set to kick off in March 2025 and will run over 11 matchdays with a final event to be held in May. All games are due to take place in London and will be streamed live on Twitch and YouTube in shows hosted by social media star Chunkz.