Frank Lampard Snubbed as Gary Lineker Picks Favourite Premier League XI

Gary Lineker, signing off as Match of the Day host after 26 years, named his favourite Premier League XI but surprisingly omitted close friend Frank Lampard. Despite acknowledging Lampard as an incredible goalscoring midfielder, Lineker favoured players like Vardy, Mahrez, Gerrard, Henry, and De Bruyne based on the joy they brought him as a presenter.

After the announcement of his final appearance as host of Match of the Day, Gary Lineker revealed his 11 favourite Premier League players, omitting some legendary names, including close friend Frank Lampard. The 64-year-old, who has fronted the show since 1999, will step down following a social media controversy involving a post about Zionism.

As part of his farewell, Lineker shared a personal list of players who brought him the most joy during his 26 years of Premier League coverage. Unsurprisingly, Leicester icons Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez featured prominently, with Lineker praising Vardy as a “goalscoring machine” and hailing Mahrez’s “feather-like” first touch. Other notable selections included Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Thierry Henry, Harry Kane, Kevin De Bruyne, and Mohamed Salah.

Lineker clarified that his picks were not based solely on ability or statistics but on the joy, these players brought him as a presenter and viewer. He admitted it was hard leaving out Lampard, David Beckham, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, all of whom he admires. Lineker’s final episode will include a special tribute montage, marking the end of an era for one of the most familiar faces in British football broadcasting.