Gary Lineker is set to hang up his ‘Match of the Day’ boots at the season’s close but is expected to stick with the BBC until the 2026 World Cup wraps.

Having become the face of ‘Match of the Day’ since 1999, Lineker holds the title as its longest-serving presenter. The rumor mill is churning about who’ll step into his shoes. A BBC insider email earlier this year hinted at an impending announcement regarding Lineker’s departure, which was later denied by the broadcaster, stating that contract talks were still in play.

In a cheeky October remark, the 63-year-old soccer legend joked about hosting his “final show… before the international break”. Yet, recent buzz indicates that Lineker’s tenure has an expiration date after all.

While his current ‘Match of the Day’ contract concludes with this season, it’s believed Lineker and the BBC have struck a deal to extend his commentary duties for the FA Cup and the expanded 48-team World Cup. Lineker’s voice has guided viewers through many a soccer fest, including Euro 2024, marking his legacy in sports broadcasting.

Lineker, a top earner at the BBC with a seven-figure salary, hinted at potential changes in his career trajectory during an interview with Esquire, admitting: “I could [leave]. Whether that will be the case I don’t know. At some point, I have to slow down somewhere… I’m getting old.”

Lineker has hosted 'Match of the Day' for more than two decades

Lineker has hosted ‘Match of the Day’ for more than two decades ( 

Image:

BBC)

Lineker has launched his own podcast company ‘Goalhanger Productions’ and hosts his own show called ‘The Rest is Football’ with Newcastle legend Alan Shearer and CBS Sports star Micah Richards. He’s hosted ‘Match of the Day’ for more than two decades.

Although Lineker has forged a successful career as a TV host, he is best known for being a soccer player. He played for the likes of Leicester, Everton, Barcelona, and Tottenham during his career as a striker, and he earned 80 senior caps for England.

Lineker won the FA Cup with Tottenham and the Spanish Cup with Barcelona, among other trophies. He was the Golden Boot winner at the 1986 World Cup and finished second in that year’s Ballon d’Or vote.

“It depends how long they want me, I suppose,” Lineker told ‘BBC Breakfast’ earlier this year when asked about his ‘Match of the Day future’. “I love doing it at the moment; I’ve still got another year left, at least. So we’ll have to wait and see what happens.”

“Obviously it’s another change in football and television and the rights of the Premier League and stuff like that. All of these things will play a part. But I just feel it’s been an absolute privilege to have presented it for 25 years now. I must be getting old!”