Gary Lineker is loving life after calling time as Match of the Day host after 26 years.The 65-year-old stepped down as host of the BBC’s flagship football highlights show at the end of of the 2024/25 season having presented it since 1999.Lineker hosted Match of the Day for 26 years between 1999-2025BBCAnd the ex-Barcelona, Tottenham and Everton star has told talkSPORT he is grateful for the extra time he now finds himself with, having been such a prominent figure on our TV screens for a quarter of a century.Though he is still set for a busy summer following his £14million deal to present his Rest Is Football podcast at the World Cup.Lineker relishing freedomSpeaking on Tuesday about life after MOTD on the Rushden and Baker show, Lineker said: “To be honest, I never missed playing football.“And I never missed even playing golf when I gave that up – so I know I definitely didn’t [miss it].“Actually, I really enjoyed for the first time in my adult life having regular weekends off.“And I’ve made the most of it. I’d either go in for, you know, special lunches or little trips away for the weekend – so I’ve really enjoyed that.“I mean, I love the show [Match of the Day], and I loved doing it for a long time.“But I didn’t necessarily love, by the end of it, traveling up to Manchester early in the morning on a Saturday and arriving back about 3am on Sunday morning.“So I don’t miss that aspect in particular, but I still watch the show, I watch it every week.”Lineker’s late Saturday nights are a thing of the past, though, it seems, as he explained: “I watch it on Sunday morning, though, not on Saturday night.”LIneker stressed he remains a fan of MOTD – but is glad to not be presenting it anymoretalkSPORTThe ex-England star has became an iconic TV presenter since hanging up his bootsGettyMaguire ‘really unlucky’The former England striker, who won the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup, also gave his thoughts on Thomas Tuchel’s squad for this summer’s tournament – specifically the controversial omission of Harry Maguire.Lineker remarked: “As it’s transpired, I think he’s been really unlucky, actually, not to make the squad.“I’m actually genuinely disappointed for him, given his experience as well, he’s never let England down.“I thought Dan Burn was probably fortunate to get the nod ahead of him.“But it’s one man’s decision – Thomas Tuchel has done it and we’ve asked for someone to make the big calls.“We all have our differences of opinion on England squads and line-ups, but it won’t stop us from giving our own.Maguire spoke exclusively to talkSPORT after his heartbreaking squad omission“There are a few that I wouldn’t have done, but again, it’s his choice and ultimately he’ll be judged by what happens on the field.”Tuchel’s England get their World Cup 2026 campaign underway against Croatia in Dallas on June 17.The Three Lions then take on Ghana in Boston followed by Panama in New York, as they look to seal top spot in Group L.England are already at their pre-tournament training camp in Florida, where they’ll play friendlies against New Zealand this Saturday and Costa Rica next Wednesday.The tournament begins next Thursday, with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa in the opening game.