Ian Wright makes emotional farewell from BBC's Match of the Day... as Gary Lineker labels the Arsenal legend as a 'breath of fresh air' for the iconic highlights show

Ian Wright gave an emotional farewell as the Arsenal legend made his final appearance as a pundit on Match of the Day after more than two decades.

Wright announced in December that he would be stepping back from his punditry role with the iconic BBC show.

The former striker made his debut on the highlights show when he was still a player in 1997.

He became a regular pundit five years later, after his retirement from football in 2000.

Wright made his final appearance on Sunday's show, with the 60-year-old presented with a special cap - similar to ones given to England internationals - to mark his time on the programme.

His final show saw Manchester City crowned Premier League champions for a fourth successive year, finishing ahead of his former club Arsenal.

Wright offered emotional final words to host Gary Lineker and fellow pundit Alan Shearer, as he said the show meant 'the world to me'.

'I am going to miss you guys, I really am,' Wright said.

'This has been the greatest for me. Match of the Day means the whole world to me, you guys don't even know.

'That's why I got my eight, nine, 10 (tattoo), my two guys I love so much on there, people laugh at me but I love you man.'

Shearer responded by saying 'We will miss you on Saturdays', while Lineker hailed Wright's contribution to the programme.

'It’s been an absolute pleasure and a delight to work with you for so long and you are a breath of fresh air,' Lineker told Wright.

'You always have been.'

A montage was also shown featuring further tributes from Lineker and Shearer, as well as contributions from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and winger Bukayo Saka.

The montage showed several of Wright’s best moments on the programme, as well as his debut appearance in 1997 alongside then host Des Lynam and pundit Trevor Brooking.

Wright's children and grandchildren were also featured in the montage to congratulate him on his time on the show.

When confirming his departure in December, Wright said he it was time to do 'different things with my Saturdays.'

'After my debut show whilst still a player in 1997 and many more memorable years, I’ll be stepping back from BBC MOTD at the end of this season,' Wright wrote on X. 'I feel very privileged to have had such an incredible run on the most iconic football show in the world.

'Anyone that knows my story knows how much the show has meant to me since I was young boy. MOTD is my Holy Grail. On my first ever show, I told Des Lynam, “This is my Graceland”. It will always be my Graceland and I will always be watching.'

'I’m stepping back having made great friends and many great memories. This decision has been coming for a while, maybe my birthday earlier this year fast tracked it a little, but ultimately it’s time to do a few more different things with my Saturdays.

'I’m really looking forward to my last months on the show and covering what will hopefully be an amazing Premier League title race.' 

Wright was initially a regular on Match of the Day between 2002 and 2008, before leaving the show - only to return to the studio on a regular basis in 2015.

Last May, he became one half of the first father-and-son punditry team in Match of the Day's illustrious history, when he appeared alongside Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Lineker noted that Wright will be nearby next week when he works for rival broadcaster ITV on the FA Cup final.

Wright is also a regular on Stick to Football, a podcast series by the Overlap.