
Gary Lineker breaks down in tears on Match of the Day farewell
A comprehensive video was shown, starting with his footballing days that saw him shine at Barcelona. Post-retirement, it traced his journey as a presenter, where he had the daunting task of stepping into the shoes of the legendary Des Lynam.
Several of his colleagues - Richards, Shearer, Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson - all honoured 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.
Notable figures like Pep Guardiola and Virgil van Dijk also paid their respects.
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.", reports the Mirror.
The renowned Italian singer, Andrea Bocelli, also paid tribute. He is best known for the iconic song "Time to Say Goodbye."
Lineker's final 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."
He also quipped: "Rather like my football career everyone else did all the hard work and I got all the plaudits".
BBC presenter Gary Lineker's tenure has been cut short following a backlash to his social media activity. His final appearance on Match of the Day took place on Sunday.
Lineker had been a mainstay of the Premier League highlights programme for over 20 years, but his departure brings an end to an enduring relationship with the broadcaster.
Hosting his final show, he quipped, "it wasn't meant to end this way", referencing both the Premier League season and his own BBC exit. The opening credits included a montage of Lineker's football career.
Throughout his time at the BBC, the 64 year old had faced calls for dismissal, notably after posting criticism of the Government on social media. However, it was his stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict that led to his eventual departure.
Lineker recently faced criticism for sharing a Palestine Lobby post on Instagram that featured a picture of a rat, with the Campaign Against Antisemitism subsequently calling for his dismissal.
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, admitting: "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."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Wrexham make ambitious approach for Christian Eriksen, according to his agent
Wrexham have made an ambitious approach for Christian Eriksen, according to the former Manchester United midfielder's agent. The 33-year-old Denmark international is without a club after his contract with United expired at the end of the 2024-25 season. Eriksen's agent Martin Schoots told the Daily Mail: 'Wrexham are really upgrading everything both on and off the field, and it is a hugely impressive project, as you can see from the presence of people like (chief executive) Michael Williamson there. Christian Eriksen waves goodbye to the Manchester United fans after his final appearance last season (Martin Rickett/PA) 'But Christian still wants to play in a first-tier competition and he absolutely wants to stay in Western Europe. 'There are some contacts going on but it has to suit both sides.' Signing Eriksen, who has won 144 caps for Denmark and has also played for Tottenham and Brentford in the Premier League, would be a major statement of Wrexham's Championship intent. Eriksen made 35 appearances in all competitions for United – scoring five goals – and has also played for Ajax and Inter Milan in his distinguished career. There are some contacts going on but it has to suit both sides Wrexham's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have showed plenty of ambition ahead of the Red Dragons' return to the second tier of English football after a 43-year absence. They have already added Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward, left-back Liberato Cacace, midfielders Lewis O'Brien and George Thomason and forwards Josh Windass and Ryan Hardie to their ranks after a third consecutive promotion. It has been reported that Wrexham, who begin their Championship campaign at Southampton on August 9, have broken their transfer record twice this summer. The PA news agency has contacted Wrexham for comment.


The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
‘No private plane waiting for me' – Roy Keane rubbishes Gary Neville's England complaints with brutal Saipan putdown
GARY Neville was in stitches after being brutally put-down by a trademark Roy Keane one-liner. 2 The former Ireland player and assistant manager was quick to make a humorous response to Neville Credit: @wearetheoverlap 2 The 50-year-old couldn't believe Keane's reply Credit: @wearetheoverlap The eight time Premier League winner spoke about it on the "It wasn't just that they got given a letter and no one knew what was going to happen. "There had been a private jet booked and they had to go on it in like three hours." Read more on Irish football Neville disagreed with the Ireland footballing icon and returned to telling the story adding: "You're together as a group, obviously Gazza (Paul Gascoigne), my brother (Phil Neville) and Butty (Nicky Butt) we were like brothers weren't we. It was just shock." In the lead up to the World Cup, England manager Glen Hoddle had to reduce his initially 30 man squad down to a 22 man squad for the tournament. Some big names missed out on the final team such as Dion Dublin, Ian Walker and the aforementioned trio. Gary Neville was not happy with both the decision and the handling of it by Hoddle and his management team. Most read in Football It may have caused problems within the England camp as they failed to top their group despite being heavy favourites, finishing behind Romania. Hoddle's side then went out on penalties in the round of 16 stage to Argentina with penalty misses from David Batty and Paul Ince proving costly. Ireland legend joins Jacqui Hurley in making quirky prediction for Women's Euros semi from RTE couch Keane downplayed the hardship of the former England right back's anecdote quipping back: "You know what I'd be happy with? I'd be happy jumping back on a private plane. I'm serious." Ian Wright - who missed the 1998 World Cup finals through injury - also hit back at Neville sharing his own story from the same era saying: "I remember when I got injured, I didn't get a private jet. "I got a taxi down to the airport. I was sitting in the airport for like hours before I had gone." That's when Keane had the whole room in stitches as he jested "Try getting back from


The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Christian Horner tipped to become Lewis Hamilton's new Ferrari boss, day after Brit driver's brutal response to sacking
FORMULA 1 legend Jacques Villeneuve says Christian Horner "doesn't seem to be affected by pressure" so could be Ferrari's team principal. However, if Lewis Hamilton 's response to the news of Horner's sacking is anything to go off, it may not be the match Villeneuve thinks it could be. Advertisement 4 Horner was sacked three days after the British Grand Prix Credit: Getty 4 Allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against him by a female colleague in February 2024 Credit: Getty 4 He's been tipped to join Ferrari Credit: AFP 4 Villeneuve thinks he could 'shoulder the pressure' of Ferrari Credit: Getty Horner was The team have not publicly provided a reason for his dismissal. Allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against him by a female colleague in February 2024. Horner - who is currently out of work - has denied these allegations. Speaking to Vision4Sport, who provide Christian Horner to Ferrari would be an interesting one. Advertisement read more in f1 "He's been solid, doesn't seem to have been very affected by pressure, even in tough times. "So, he might well be one that could be able to shoulder Ferrari." But on Thursday, Belgium Grand Prix. With a dead-pan look on his face, he said: "It doesn't change anything in my life." Advertisement Most read in Motorsport Exclusive BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK That comment was followed by an awkward silence in the press conference. Hamilton - who stunned the F1 world when he switched from Mercedes to Ferrari - failed to podium at the British Grand Prix earlier this month. Lewis Hamilton looks close to tears in live TV interview after 'terrible' performance His fourth place finish brought an end to finishing in the top three for 12 Silverstone races in a row as he finished behind Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg. Advertisement Ferrari's And Villeneuve thinks this inconsistent form is a reoccurring theme for the Italian team. He said: "It's like that every year. It's really bad, and then suddenly they win in Monaco. "Then it's great and they've turned the corner, then it goes back to being very bad and so on. So, let's wait." Advertisement Ferrari principle Fred Vasseur has been in focus this season, with fans questioning if time will run out for him after a tricky season for the Italian team. Asked about Vasseur's future , Villeneuve said the job is always a "risky proposition". He said: 'The team principal at Ferrari is always under threat. That's the name of the game. "When you accept going to Ferrari, you know that you're walking on fire, you're walking on eggs. It's always a risky proposition. Advertisement "And if you take that job, which puts you in the limelight, you have to accept the consequences, which means it's easy to just be chopped 'You live under constant pressure, and you have to accept it from the media, from everyone and you complain about it because a team principal there is always one who managed to remove his predecessor. "There's always a lot of politics . So, if it happens to Vasseur there should not be any surprise."