Gary Lineker has said he might appear on television in a mankini if England win the World Cup.

The former player - the top scorer at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico - appeared in his boxer shorts to present Match Of The Day when his old club Leicester won the Premier League in 2016.

Speaking to CBBC, he said that "maybe I'd do it in a mankini or something" if England defy the odds in Russia and manage to lift their first trophy since 1966.

"Although if they did win the World Cup I wouldn't mind, it'd be amazing," the 57-year-old said.

Image: Lineker presented Match of the Day in boxer shorts in 2016. Pic: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire

Fans - and the internet - are sure to remember Lineker's words if the national team pulls off the unthinkable in the tournament - which is just days away from kicking off.


Lineker was unable to laugh off his December 2015 tweet promising to "do the first MOTD of next season in just my undies" if Leicester went on to achieve the seemingly impossible and win the league.

He saw it through eight months later, presenting the BBC show in a pair of baggy Leicester City boxer shorts - much to the amusement of pundits Alan Shearer and Ian Wright.

But wearing a mankini would be rather more embarrassing for the ex-England great.

Image: The mankini does not leave much to the imagination

The revealing thong stretches in a V-shape from the crotch over the shoulders, and became famous after being worn by Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat character.

If England achieve a spectacular win against Tunisia in their first game on 18 June, Lineker may start to feel ever-so-slightly nervous.