Wright and Shearer managed to stay together — almost — in the final match of the day side by side. Photo: BBC Sport < p>Ian Wright left Match of the Day after an emotional send-off during which Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer were close to tears.
Telegraph Sport understands Wright came close to quitting Match of the Day two years ago. ago, he needed too much time every Saturday, but Lineker and Shearer persuaded him to stay. When they said they would miss him, it wasn't a nice moment. Both men privately fear his departure.
Wright also explained that he has his jersey number (8) tattooed on his wrist alongside Shearer's (9) and Lineker's (10).
“I'll miss you guys really,” Wright said, trying not to cry at his final performance. “For me it was the greatest event. “Match of the Day” means the whole world to me, you don’t even know it. I have eight, nine, ten [tattoos] there, two of my guys that I love so much.
“People make fun of me for hitting eight, nine, ten, Gary Lineker and Alan. Shearer, but it's because I love you, man. You're my boys.»
As Shearer shifted uncomfortably in his seat and Geordie's tough exterior melted away, Lineker mentioned Wright's upcoming appearance as an ITV pundit at the Euros and at Wembley next weekend in the Cup final: «See you next week at the [FA] Cup Final, I know you'll be 200 yards away from us, but at least we'll see you then.
“But working with you for so long has been a great pleasure and pleasure. You are a breath of fresh air, and always have been. Thank you.”
«Match of the day means the world to me» ❤️
We will miss you Wrighty 😭#MOTD @IanWright0 @alanshearer @garylineker pic.twitter.com/IwE0cUxkwm
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD), May 19, 2024
Reflecting on his decision to leave Match of the Day, Wright said in December: “Following my debut as a player in 1997 and many other memorable years, I will be leaving BBC MOTD at the end of this season.
“I am honored to have such an incredible opportunity to be part of the most iconic football show in the world.
“Anyone who knows my story knows how much this show has meant to me ever since Since I was a little boy.
“MOTD is my Holy Grail. At my first show I said to Des Lynam, “This is my Graceland.” This will always be my Graceland, and I will always watch it.
“I'm stepping back, I've made some great friends and a lot of great memories.
“This decision was made for although maybe my [60th] birthday earlier this year sped up the process a little, but Eventually it was time to do a few more different things with my Saturdays.”
His insight and charm were a unique combination. a7a5-ffc19a120848.html?direct=true&id=199aed3d-9c35-4386-a7a5-ffc19a120848&template=articleRendererHTML' class='tmg-particle embed wrp-199aed3d-9c35-4386-a7a5-ffc19a120848' title=»Luke Edwards (regular)» data-business-type='editorial' loading='eager' scroll='no' Frameborder='0'allow='web-share' style='width: 100%; min-width: 100%; border: none; position: relative; display: block; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;'>
It is a measure of the respect in which Wright, a former Crystal Palace, Arsenal and England striker, holds the game that there is such genuine sadness that he will no longer feature on Match of the Day after 27 years after his first appearance and 22 years since he became a regular face.
While subscription television may have supplanted live Premier League football from its terrestrial rivals, Match of the Day remains the most popular and best-loved football show on television. And «Wrighty,» who was 60 and became a regular on the show back in 2002, was his favorite expert.
By his own admission, Wright was an angry young man who often used his emotions as fuel on the football field when he was a prolific goalscorer who rose to the very top of the game after starting his career in non-league football, but his skill as an expert endeared him.
He combined knowledge with acute sense of humor, but radiated warmth and sincere love for the game.
He has a unique combination of insight and charm — his observations are always accompanied by a hint of mischief. eye. If he made it look easy, that's because it was. That's what Wright became, a wise old sage with a childlike, infectious ability to tease those around him without ever angering him.
Few people, if any, could call themselves friends with both Shearer and his old rival and sparrer -Partner Roy Keane. The two still don't like each other, but they both love Wright because he's genuine, funny, and to those who know him, one of the most generous and kind people in the game.
He was a comfort . on our TV screens, and although he will continue his media career, he will become a regular guest on Gary Neville's Stick to Football, where he sits next to Keane and even visits him at home for dinner — a great honor for most of his former team . he never had friends — he will no longer be a regular guest on the BBC.
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