LONDON, England – Gary Lineker, na former Barcelona and England striker wey don dey present BBC’s Match of the Day for 26 years, go conclude him tenure on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Dis episode go cover the last day of the 2024-2025 Premier League season and na im go be Lineker’s final show.
As Lineker dey prepare to say goodbye, e don compile im own list of top 11 Premier League players wey don give am joy over the years. ‘I pick players wey don make my time for Match of the Day sweet,’ na wetin Lineker talk as he dey reflect on him experience.
Top of Lineker’s list na Jamie Vardy, wey make history with Leicester City. ‘My Leicester bias dey here,’ Lineker admit. ‘E come to Leicester when e be 25 years and score 200 goals for 500 games. Na big achievement for person wey play for club wey dey go up and down for league.’
Other football legends wey make Lineker’s list include Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, and Eden Hazard. ‘Gerrard fit do everything for midfield, na true leader and winner,’ Lineker commend.
On Eden Hazard, e talk say, ‘Di way him dey move from midfield na glorious sight to behold. He sweet my belle when I watch am.’
Lineker also mention Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne as crucial players wey he don enjoy watching. ‘De Bruyne dey bring joy, e get everything wey midfield player suppose get.’
Despite the hard choices, no space for Frank Lampard, as Lineker admits na tough call. ‘Na very difficult decision; I fit talk say na one of the best midfield players ever.’
“By di way Premier League dey change, e hard to choose only 11 players, but I try my best,” he conclude. Di full list of Lineker’s top 11 Premier League players include: Jamie Vardy, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Eden Hazard, Riyad Mahrez, Kevin De Bruyne, Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Gareth Bale, Mohamed Salah, and Harry Kane.
Lineker’s exit from the BBC dey linked to his recent social media controversies. He don face public criticism after posting content wey many see as antisemitic. Though he later apologise, di BBC announce say him position don become untenable, forcing im departure from Match of the Day and di upcoming World Cup coverage.
Many football fans dey look forward to dis final episode, as BBC go plan emotional send-off for Lineker. ‘E don contribute plenty to football commentary, and we go miss am,’ na wetin Tim Davie, di BBC director general, talk.
Other pundits and former players go join am for di final show, as dey celebrate Lineker’s legacy for di Premier League and di wider football community. As di curtain close on im television career, fans go cherish all di memories and highlights from Match of the Day and di wonderful players wey don shine under di spotlight.
