Host with the most

Former England captain Gary Lineker's soccer career was not so shoddy, but it is his activities off the pitch — from his TV punditry to his own growing podcast empire — that have turned him into a truly national figure.

Which is why the news that Lineker's 25-year stint as presenter of Match of the Day — the BBC's flagship soccer highlights show — will come to an end at the conclusion of the current season has been front and back page news across Britain.

The BBC said Lineker — the broadcaster's highest-paid presenter, earning an annual salary of 1.35 million pounds ($1.7 million) — would remain at the corporation after both parties "agreed in principle to a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup".

"After 25 seasons, Gary is stepping down from MOTD," said Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport.

"We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week.

"He'll be hugely missed on the show, but we're so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football."

"What a finish" was the banner headline on the front page of The Sun on Tuesday, a phrase often heard during Lineker's playing career, which began at Leicester City and included stops at Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur.

Lineker, the archetypal penalty area predator, hung up his boots in 1994 having scored 331 goals in 654 competitive games, including 48 for England, which at the time made him the second-highest goal scorer for his country behind Bobby Charlton.

Rather than fade into the shadows, however, Lineker embarked on a media career that has taken him way beyond the realms of soccer, made him a household name and the BBC's highest-earning presenter.

In an ever-polarized world, he has never been shy of raising his head above the parapet with his observations on issues both in Britain and across the world.

An outspoken voice of the Remain vote during the buildup to Brexit, and since, Lineker has also voiced support for immigrants and Palestinians — often coming into conflict with the BBC's rules of conduct.

His presenting skills earned him big-money deals with the likes of BT Sport for its Champions League coverage, while in 2014 he established his own aptly named Goalhanger production company.

It produces the highly popular "The Rest Is..." podcasts, covering topics including football, history and politics.

The end of Lineker's playing career coincided helpfully with the explosion of interest in the Premier League, and his path into media work began as a somewhat wooden radio presenter on BBC Radio Five Live.

Lineker himself describes his early forays into radio as "appalling", and admits to "stumbling" through his early days in front of a TV camera. But, the powers that be saw something worth molding, and Linker began to grow into his new career.

His understated wit began to surface on the irreverent sports TV series They Think It's All Over, and, in 1999, a polished Lineker was entrusted with hosting Saturday night soccer highlights show Match of the Day following the retirement of the much-loved Desmond Lynam.

Lineker's astute observations, humor and easy banter with pundits, such as fellow former England striker Alan Shearer, helped keep Match of the Day a staple for millions of British households, despite almost blanket live TV coverage on subscription platforms.

For example, in August 2016, Lineker made good on an earlier promise to present the show in his underpants, after his boyhood club Leicester won the Premier League.

Increasingly, Lineker expanded his sporting portfolio, heading up the BBC's golf coverage, and he was the face of the corporation's coverage of the London 2012 Olympics.

He will continue to host the BBC's FA Cup coverage next season, as well as the BBC's coverage of the 2026 World Cup.

Lineker said: "I'm delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport, and would like to thank all those who made this happen."

Former BBC director general Greg Dyke told BBC radio that Lineker was "the outstanding sports presenter of his time", but added: "Life moves on, presenters don't stay forever."

In March last year, 63-year-old Lineker was briefly taken off air by bosses after a social media furore, when he compared the language used to launch a British government asylum policy to the rhetoric of Nazi-era Germany.

In solidarity with Lineker, a number of fellow presenters and pundits including Shearer and Ian Wright refused to appear on the Saturday night program, meaning Match of the Day aired an episode that lasted just 20 minutes and was devoid of any punditry and match commentary.

Lineker was reinstated just over a week later.

The outspoken ex-striker often criticizes government policies, particularly on immigration, but has also put his money where his mouth is, hosting refugees in his home.

Last week Lineker, who turns 64 at the end of November, admitted he would "have to slow down at some point", and intimated to Esquire magazine that he may seek to focus full-time on his successful podcast business.

Agencies