Featured Image Credit: BBC Sport
Topics: Ian Wright, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Premier League, Match Of The Day, Football
Ryan Smart
Topics: Ian Wright, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Premier League, Match Of The Day, Football
Ian Wright was brought to tears after receiving a gift from Gary Lineker to mark his final appearance on Match of the Day.
The Arsenal legend announced in December that he would be leaving the BBC's flagship football highlights show at the end of the season.
That prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the footballing world for the 61-year-old, who said that he wanted to spend more time with his family.
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He made his first appearance on Match of the Day while still playing in January 1997, and delivered one of the most iconic lines in the show's history when he told host Des Lynam that MOTD was his 'Graceland'.
And after 27 years as a pundit, Wright is now stepping away - but couldn't leave the studios without receiving a special gift from close friends Lineker and Alan Shearer.
Starting the final section of the show on Sunday night, Lineker announced: "Wrighty - the time has come. It's all over. We've got you a little something. Here you go, take that."
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Wright asked his fellow former England striker what the gift was, before Lineker revealed it to be a special Match of the Day cap.
He quipped: "Another cap. We didn't think you got enough England ones... that was Shearer's fault."
Wright was in tears as he took the moment in, before replying: "Oh my God, that's so sweet man, thank you. I'm not going to look at the cameras now!"
This isn't a goodbye to broadcasting from Wright, though, with fans safe in the knowledge that he will be continuing his live match duties and his work on the hugely popular Stick to Football, alongside Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott and Wayne Rooney.
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But his time on Match of the Day is now over - and although he couldn't mark it with a much-desired Arsenal title win, it was a fine way to go out.