Lineker leaving BBC soccer show ‘Match of the Day’

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Former England striker Gary Lineker, the BBC's highest-paid presenter, will step down from his role on its flagship soccer show "Match of the Day."

Lineker will finish up at the end of the season, but has signed a contract extension that will see him host the national broadcaster's coverage of the FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup.

"After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week," Director of BBC Sport Alex Kay-Jelski said in a statement on Tuesday.

The 63-year-old Lineker earns 1.35 million pounds ($1.7 million) a year and has hosted MOTD since 1999.

He has courted controversy over his political views but has remained hugely popular.

Lineker recently launched his own successful podcast production company, which includes "The Rest is Politics" and "The Rest is Football," which he co-hosts with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

Lineker was temporarily removed from MOTD last year in the wake of his criticism of the British government's new asylum policy. On social media he compared lawmakers' language about migrants to that used in Nazi Germany.

With over eight million followers on X, he is one of the most influential media figures and his comments sparked a backlash. But the BBC's decision to stand him down led to his colleagues refusing to appear without him, meaning the show ran without presenters or punditry.

The broadcaster reversed its decision and Lineker was soon back on air.

During the European Championship this year he used an expletive when analysing England’s 1-1 draw with Denmark on his podcast. His comments made headlines in the English media and earned rebuke from captain Harry Kane.

The BBC said MOTD had 33 million viewers last season. It did not say who would replace Lineker.

As a player, Lineker was one of England’s greatest strikers and was fourth on its scorers list with 48 in 80 appearances. He was the top scorer at the 1986 World Cup and played for leading clubs like Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham.

After retiring, he reinvented himself as a television presenter and became a household name to a whole new audience.