Gary Lineker’s Emotional Farewell to BBC
Gary Lineker held back tears as he presented his final edition of Match of the Day after 26 years on the show. The former England striker announced in November that he would leave the football program at the end of the Premier League season, which concluded on Sunday. However, his departure from the BBC came sooner than expected due to controversy surrounding an anti-Semitic social media post.
A Legendary Career
Lineker replaced Des Lynam as the main presenter of the BBC’s flagship football program in 1999 and became the highest-paid presenter. Throughout his career, he made headlines not only for his football commentary but also for sharing his opinions on social media. In 2023, he was suspended for a post on the government’s asylum policy, which sparked a wave of support from BBC sports presenters and experts.
The Final Show
On his final show, Lineker was presented with a memorial cap and a golden trunk by experts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. "It was an absolute privilege to present Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It was extremely happy," he said, holding back tears. As he spoke directly to the audience, he added, "Thank you for watching, thanks for all your love and support over the years. It was something special, and I’m sorry that your team has always been beaten recently. Time to say goodbye."
A Responsible Decision
Lineker’s departure from the BBC was announced after he shared a social media post about Zionism that contained an anti-Semitic illustration. Although he apologized and claimed he had not seen the picture, the decision was made for him to leave the BBC earlier than expected. In a statement, Lineker said, "The step down now feels like the responsible approach." The BBC’s Director-General, Tim Davie, thanked Lineker for his contributions to football reporting and agreed that it was time for him to resign.
Tributes and Memories
During his final show, Lineker interviewed Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who paid tribute to the presenter. The show also featured an assembly of Lineker’s goals, highlights from his time on the program, and a segment where he wore his Leicester City boxer shorts, a promise he made after his hometown team won the Premier League in 2016. His long-time colleagues and friends, including Alan Hansen, Ian Wright, and Paul Gascoigne, also paid tribute to Lineker.
A New Era
As Lineker bid farewell, he wished the new presenters, Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan, all the best. "The program is in the best hands," he said. The new presenters will take over Match of the Day from the beginning of the 2025-26 season. As Lineker closed the chapter on his BBC career, he left behind a legacy as a legendary football presenter and a memorable figure in the world of sports broadcasting.
