Football Legend Gary Lineker Ends MOTD Journey After 26 Years
Gary Lineker, the iconic former footballer and presenter, has officially stepped down from BBC’s Match of the Day after 26 years. His final episode aired on Sunday, May 25, marking the end of an era in British sports broadcasting.
Fighting back tears, Lineker described his time hosting the show as an “absolute privilege” and “utterly joyous.” He added:
“Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work and I got the plaudits.”
Lineker Departs Amid Social Media Controversy
Lineker’s early exit from the BBC follows backlash over a social media post referencing Zionism, accompanied by imagery deemed historically antisemitic. He later issued an unreserved apology for the offence caused.
Who Will Replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day?
From the 2025-26 Premier League season, presenting duties will be shared by:
- Gabby Logan
- Kelly Cates
- Mark Chapman
Lineker offered them his best wishes:
“The programme is in the best of hands.”
Tributes and Tears During Final Episode
The farewell episode featured a video montage with tributes from football legends including:
- Alan Shearer: “You’ve been unbelievable to Match of the Day.”
- Micah Richards, Ian Wright, and Danny Murphy
- Players and managers like Virgil van Dijk, Pep Guardiola, and Claudio Ranieri
- Lineker’s own sons, George, Harry, Tobias, and Angus
Even Andrea Bocelli, whose 2016 performance moved Lineker to tears during Leicester City’s Premier League win, returned with a tribute.
Lineker’s Legacy at the BBC
Lineker took over Match of the Day in 1999, making him the show’s longest-serving host. His departure also means he won’t present the:
- 2026 FIFA World Cup
- FA Cup
- Or continue on BBC Sounds’ The Rest is Football podcast
Despite the end of his BBC career, Lineker remains a co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, home to “The Rest Is History.”
Fan Reactions: ‘End of an Era’
On social media, tributes flooded in:
“Gary Lineker was the face of football for me growing up.”
“MOTD won’t be the same without him.”
“He’s a good man—hope he prospers.”
A Last Nod to Leicester
Lineker ended the show with a nod to his boyhood club:
“It had to be Leicester last.”
He famously wore Leicester shorts on air in 2016 after promising to present in his underwear if they won the title.
