Gary Lineker, the long-standing host of the iconic Match of the Day program, who is set to leave the show at the end of the season, has shared his most cherished memory from his time on the show. Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, the former England striker revealed that Leicester City’s Premier League triumph was the moment that touched him the most.
“Claudio Raniericame out with (Andrea) Bocelli, I got so emotional. I just sat in the office, it was a bit embarrassing, just tears down my cheeks. That was definitely my favourite moment,” Lineker admitted.
He also joked about his least favorite moment: hosting an episode of Match of the Day in his underwear, a promise he made if Leicester won the league.
YES! If Leicester win the @premierleague I'll do the first MOTD of next season in just my undies.
Lineker’s deep connection to Leicester City is no surprise. Born in Leicester, he began his professional football career at his hometown club, where he played for seven years, scoring an impressive 103 goals in 216 appearances.
His career later took him to Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, and Japan’s Nagoya Grampus Eight. Among his accolades, Lineker won the FA Cup with Spurs and the European Cup Winners' Cup with Barcelona.
Yasmine GreenDailysports's expert
Translated by the editors