Gary Lineker cries after emotional Match of the Day farewell

Wales Online

4 days ago

Gary Lineker cries after emotional Match of the Day farewell
Gary Lineker was reduced to tears as he was given an emotional farewell from Match of the Day following the announcement of his exit from the BBC earlier this week
Gary Lineker wiped away tears after tributes were shown at the end of his final MOTD show
(Image: BBC )
Gary Lineker was moved to tears as his tenure on Match of the Day concluded with a heartfelt tribute led by Alan Shearer and Micah Richards in the studio.
A comprehensive video tribute was shown, starting with his footballing days that saw him shine at Barcelona. After retirement, it traced his journey as a BBC presenter, where he had the daunting task of stepping into the shoes of the legendary Des Lynam.
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Several of his colleagues - Richards, Shearer, Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson - all lauded Lineker both as a mate and a presenter. His children also shared their thoughts, highlighting his qualities as a father as well as a broadcaster.
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Notable figures like Pep Guardiola and Virgil van Dijk also offered their tributes. Richards stated: "When you think of Match of the Day, you think of Gary Lineker" while Shearer asserted: "He loves it, it means the world to him."
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Gary Lineker took a moment to compose himself after the emotional tribute
(Image: BBC )
The renowned Italian singer, Andrea Bocelli, also paid tribute, reports the Mirror. He is best known for the iconic song "Time to Say Goodbye."
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As the cameras turned back to Lineker in the studio, he could be seen wiping his cheeks with a tissue, struggling for a moment to address his final show. His parting words were: "Let me take this opportunity to thank all the pundits I've worked with over the years, you've made my job a lot easier.
"Rather like my football career everyone else did all the hard work and I got all the plaudits."
After choking up, he continued: "It's been an absolute privilege to have hosted Match of the Day for a quarter of a century, it's been utterly joyous. I'd like to wish Gabby, Mark and Kelly all the very best when they sit in this chair. The programme is in the very best hands.
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"My final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching, thank you for all of your support over the years. It's been so special and I'm sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye... goodbye."
Gary Lineker seamlessly evolved from footballing talent to all-star pundit
(Image: BBC )
This marks the end of a relationship with the corporation that spans over two decades. He's been a mainstay of the Premier League highlights programme and will pass on the baton next season.
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Lineker began the show with a quip, "it wasn't meant to end this way", which could be interpreted as a reflection on the Premier League season or his sudden departure from the BBC. This followed the opening titles featuring highlights from Lineker's illustrious playing career.
The 64-year-old has had several brushes with controversy at the BBC, surviving calls for his dismissal after criticising the Government in a social media post. His outspoken stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict ultimately led to his downfall.
He shared, then deleted, a post from the group Palestine Lobby on his Instagram account, accompanied by an image of a rat. This sparked calls for his dismissal from the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA).
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BBC Director-General, Tim Davie, stated: "Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season."
Lineker released a personal statement, saying: "Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio. I care deeply about the game, and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years. As I've said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for.
"However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action."