Ian Wright said 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 role as pundit on the iconic BBC show.
The former striker made his debut on the highlights show while still a player in 1997.
Five years later, after retiring from football in 2000, he became a regular pundit.
Wright made his final appearance on Sunday’s show, with the 60-year-old presented with a special cap – similar to those given to England internationals – to mark his time on the programme.
Ian Wright appeared emotional as he made his final appearance as Match of the Day pundit
Wright was presented with a special cap to mark his time working on the highlights show
Fellow pundit Alan Shearer paid tribute to Wright and said he will be missed on the show
His last showing saw Manchester City crowned Premier League champions for the fourth year in a row, finishing ahead of his former club Arsenal.
Wright delivered emotional final words to host Gary Lineker and fellow pundit Alan Shearer, as he said the show meant ‘the world to me’.
“I’m going to miss you guys, I really do,” Wright said.
‘This has been the best for me. Match of the Day means the whole world to me, you don’t even know it.
“That’s why I have my eight, nine, 10 (tattoo), my two boys that I love so much, there, people make fun of me, but I love you man.”
Shearer responded by saying: ‘We’ll miss you on Saturday’, while Lineker praised Wright’s contribution to the programme.
“It has been an absolute pleasure and pleasure to work with you for so long and you are a breath of fresh air,” Lineker told Wright.
“You always have been.”
Wright made his first appearance on the show alongside then presenter Des Lynam in 1997
Wright’s first appearance in the iconic show saw him share the stage with Trevor Brooking
Wright watched as a montage played, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta among others paying tribute
A montage was also shown with further tributes from Lineker and Shearer, as well as contributions from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and winger Bukayo Saka.
The montage showed some of Wright’s best moments on the programme, as well as his debut performance in 1997 alongside then presenter 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 he confirmed his departure in December, Wright said it was time to do “other things with my Saturdays.”
“After my debut show as a player in 1997 and many more memorable years, I will 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 experience have had. run on the most iconic football show in the world.
“Anyone who knows my story knows how much the show has meant to me since I was a young boy. MOTD is my holy grail. At my very first show I said to Des Lynam, “This is my Graceland.” It will always be my Graceland and I will always be watching.”
“I’m taking a step back and I’ve made some great friends and a lot of great memories. This decision has been coming for a while, maybe my birthday earlier this year got in the way a bit, but finally it’s time to do a few other things with my Saturdays.
Wright had announced in December that he would be leaving the show at the end of the season
He was half of the show’s first father-and-son expert team, along with Shaun Wright-Phillips
‘I’m really looking forward to my final months on the show and reporting on what will hopefully be a great 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 regularly in 2015.
Last May he became one half of the first father-and-son expert team in Match of the Day’s illustrious history when he appeared alongside Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Lineker noted that Wright will be in the area next week as he works for rival broadcaster ITV on the FA Cup final.
Wright can also be seen regularly in Stick to Football, a podcast series from the Overlap.