Formerly celebrated English footballer Gary Lineker is stepping down as host of the BBC's Match of the Day football show (Match of the Day) next year, BBC News learns.
The BBC is expected to officially announce his departure on Tuesday.
The Sun, which first broke the news, said Lineker could leave the BBC after the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Lineker's rep has been approached for comment.
The BBC press office declined to comment.
Lineker, whose contract was coming to an end, began negotiations with the BBC's new sports editor in October.
BBC News has learned that Lineker was interested in staying on as host of Match of the Day, but the BBC did not offer him a new contract.
The 63-year-old has hosted the popular football show since 1999.
When he leaves at the end of the English Premier League season in May 2025, it will be his 26th year on the show.
In an interview with Esquire magazine earlier this month, Lineker said he was aware that "at some point he's going to have to slow down."
Earlier this year, Lineker joked about rumors that he might leave the BBC.
He then opened the match of the day by saying that it was his "last show".
He paused and added: "Before the international break" (he meant the break in league competitions).
Before becoming a TV presenter, Lineker was a successful footballer.
He played for Leicester, Everton, Tottenham and Barcelona and was one of the best strikers of the English national team of all time.
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Lineker is one of the BBC's best-known presenters and its highest-paid star, earning more than £1,3m a year (around €1,5m).
He also hosted shows dedicated to the biggest competitions, such as the world and European championships, as well as the BBC sports personality of the year ceremony.
While working for the BBC, Lineker was also employed by other sports media, such as the American network NBC and BT Sport (now TNT Sport).
He also started working on podcasts, co-founded a production company Goalhanger, which makes popular shows, such as The rest is history, The rest is politics i The rest is fun.
During his time at the BBC, Lineker was in trouble for his comments on social media.
After posting critical comments on social media about the British government's asylum policy, he was briefly suspended.
This led to a review of the BBC's guidelines on the behavior of BBC employees on social media, with the conclusion that well-known presenters and figures of the corporation should be allowed to express views on social issues and politics, but not to lead political campaigns.
Lineker then described the new rules as "very reasonable".
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