'It wasn't meant to end this way': Gary Lineker bows out from Match Of The Day

Gary Lineker bid a tearful farewell to Match Of The Day as he presented the show for the final time.

The ex-England striker, 64, announced his departure earlier this month after sharing a social media post from the Palestine Lobby group titled: "Zionism explained in two minutes." The Instagram post was illustrated with a rat, which has been used to represent Jewish people in antisemitic propaganda - including Nazi Germany. Lineker "apologised unreservedly" for sharing it, saying he was unaware of the reference and it was a mistake.

He maintained the importance of "speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza". Presenting his final Match Of The Day alongside regular colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, Lineker did not directly address the circumstances of his departure during the programme.

"It wasn't meant to end this way," he quipped in his opening line, continuing: "But with the title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about." Manchester City, Chelsea, and Newcastle secured the remaining places in Europe's elite competition. After running through highlights of all 10 games from the final day of the Premier League season, Lineker thanked his fellow pundits, viewers and those who work behind the scenes, before wishing good luck to his replacements.

Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates will take on presenting duties for the 2025-26 campaign. Read more:BBC can breathe easier after Lineker leavesA history of Gary Lineker's most controversial posts 'It has been so special' Lineker wiped away tears at the end of the show, having been played a montage of messages including from Richards, Shearer, Ian Wright, Alan Hansen, Paul Gascoigne, Pep Guardiola, and Claudio Ranieri.

Italian manager Ranieri led Lineker's beloved Leicester City to the Premier League title in 2016, which memorably saw the BBC's highest paid star present an episode of Match Of The Day in a pair of boxers. He had promised to appear on the show half naked if Leicester won the league.

Lineker started presenting Match Of The Day back in 1999, and has also fronted the BBC's coverage of World Cups, Euros tournaments, and the Olympics. "It has been so special," Lineker said as he signed off, "and I am sorry that your team was always on last.

"Time to say goodbye. Goodbye.".