The final whistle blows for Lineker at Match of the Day

Gary Lineker concluded it had been an absolute privilege” and utterly joyous” in an emotional final speech as Match of the Day presenter, before the former England, Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona striker stepped down and left the BBC earlier than planned following an antisemitism scandal.

- JACK RATHBORN

Lineker has anchored the BBC’s flagship football programme and worked with the corporation for 26 years.

Lineker, alongside pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, appeared to make a joke at his own expense to start the show before highlights of the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season. Lineker’s message hinted at his controversial and premature departure from the BBC.

“It wasn't meant to end this way,” the 64-year-old said, in a message open to interpretation after a turbulent few weeks and seemingly at his own expense.

“But with a title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had to talk about!”