Gary Lineker sobs as he signs off from last-ever Match of the Day
Lineker, who has hosted MOTD since 1999, said it has been a 'privilege'.
Gary Lineker has signed off Match of the Day for the final time after over 20 years fronting the BBC highlights show.
Lineker’s exit from the long-running sports programme was confirmed earlier this week.
The former striker, 64, has hosted MOTD since 1999 and has topped the Beeb’s list of its highest-paid stars on several occasions since, taking home a reported £1.4million salary.
However, he attracted criticism when he shared an Instagram Story about Zionism.
His since-deleted post featured a rat emoji, which has been historically used as an antisemitic trope.
The host later issued an unreserved apology for the ‘hurt and upset caused’ by the video, stating it was a ‘genuine mistake’.
He fronted his final show this evening, opening by saying it ‘wasn’t meant to end this way’ (Picture: BBC) Lineker hosted alongside fellow pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards (Picture: Match of the Day/BBC/PA Wire)As tonight’s show opened, Lineker’s first words were poignant, looking down the camera and saying: ‘It wasn’t meant to end this way.’
The double entendre was not lost on viewers, but he quickly steered the discussion in another direction.
‘…but with the title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about,’ he continued.
Lineker hosted his final MOTD alongside fellow pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, with whom he also hosts the podcast The Rest Is Football.
In the episode’s final minutes, a powerful montage was aired, revisiting Lineker’s football career, presenting highlights, and including messages from his family and colleagues.
As the camera cut back to the studio, the emotional star wiped away tears, saying: ‘I don’t know if I can speak.’
Lineker wiped away tears after an emotional montage of his career aired (Picture: BBC) ‘I don’t know if I can speak’ (Picture: BBC) He described his time on the show as a ‘privilege’ (Picture: BBC)He was then given the final word, beginning with: ‘Let me take this opportunity to thank all of the other pundits I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years. You’ve made my job so much easier.’
Lineker continued: ‘Also, a huge thank you to those you don’t see at home. The work that goes into making this iconic show is a huge team effort, from the editors to the analysis team to the commentators to the producers to the floor managers to the camera operators to the PAs to the subs. Thank you, all. You’re the very best.
‘Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work, and I got applauded.
‘It’s been an absolute privilege to have hosted Match of the Day for a quarter of a century; it’s been utterly joyous.’
Shouting out his successors, he said: ‘I’d like to wish Gabby, Mark, and Kelly all the very best for when they sit in this chair. The programme is in the best of hands.’
Lineker concluded by addressing viewers directly, getting choked up: ‘And my final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching, thank you for all your love and support over the years; it’s been so special, and I’m sorry that your team was always on last.’
The host looked in high spirits as he arrived at the BBC studios earlier today (Picture: MCPIX) Lineker wore blue jeans and a checkered shirt (Picture: MCPIX) He entered via a back door (Picture: MCPIX)‘Time to say goodbye… goodbye,’ he signed off, before a special performance by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.
Earlier today, Lineker was photographed stepping out of a car carrying a bag over his shoulder, wearing fitted blue jeans and a checkered shirt as he made his way into the studio.
He had a smile on his face as he entered the building via an underground entrance, seemingly in a bid to avoid attention.
In the immediate aftermath of the backlash to his Insta post, Lineker had issued a statement reading: ‘On Instagram, I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references. I very much regret these references.
‘I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in.
‘The post was removed as soon as I became aware of the issue.
The former footballer has been presenting MOTD since 1999 (Picture: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Up Next
Previous Page Next Page‘Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know that how we do so matters.
‘I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views.’
After admitting his ‘error’, Lineker added in a video that it was ‘best for all concerned’ that he step down from BBC presenting duties ‘altogether’.
‘It’s been a pleasure and a huge privilege working with the BBC for 30 years, especially hosting Match of the Day, a programme that is so close to my heart and an integral part of my life,’ Lineker shared.
A source later claimed to The Sun that Lineker was ‘absolutely devastated by the recent turn of events and is deeply regretful about how his post was interpreted.’
This was not the first time Lineker has been embroiled in a row with BBC bosses.
Sources say Lineker was ‘devastated’ by how things have ended (Picture: Ash Knotek/Shutterstock for AWEu) He will no longer front BBC coverage of the 2026 World Cup, as it was previously announced (Picture: BBC)In March 2023, he was temporarily suspended over an impartiality row about comments he made criticising the then-Conservative government’s new asylum policy.
Leaving the BBC tonight means Lineker will no longer front the broadcaster’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup or coverage of the FA Cup next season, as had been previously announced.
Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates, and Mark Chapman will replace the Leicester-born star and share the presenting role on Match of the Day from the next Premier League season.
Comment nowWill you miss Gary Lineker on Match of the Day?Comment NowMeanwhile, Lineker’s exit has generated an outpouring of messages online, with Liverpool head coach Arne Slot telling him: ‘Thank you for being such a great presenter of a BBC show that I have watched many times when I lived in Holland, and now still. It’s great what you did.’
Former BBC Breakfast and Football Focus presenter Dan Walker also wrote on X that ‘Match of the Day won’t be the same without @GaryLineker’.
Walker, who also appeared on MOTD previously, added: ‘It was always a pleasure to present the show but it was always Gary’s chair. Brilliant career on the pitch matched by a brilliant stint on the biggest football show on the telly #MOTD.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
