We have asked what Match of the Day means to you, well this is what it means to the man who hosts the show, Gary Lineker (pictured during a programme in 2000).

"For me, Match of the Day is more than just a TV show - it is a national institution," said Lineker.

After 50 years, it is an established part of Saturday night viewing and the theme tune is synonymous with the game of football itself. It is a programme that has played an amazing part in my whole life too.

"I grew up with Match of the Day as a football-mad kid in the 1970s when I would go to games at Leicester City's old Filbert Street ground with my dad and granddad, and then stay up to watch it. I appeared on it as a player in the 1980s, a pundit in the 1990s and, for the last 15 years, I am incredibly proud to have been the presenter.

So we have two main discussion points today. Firstly, what impact would Liverpool signing Mario Balotelli have on the Premier League title race, if they can agree terms with the ex-Manchester City man.

And secondly, we want to hear your Match of the Day memories. Is there a great game, great goal or great player that sticks in your mind from the last 50 years?

What does Match of the Day mean to you? Let us know your thoughts and we will publish the best comments on this page throughout the day.

As always, you can contact us on Twitter using either #bbcsportsday or #MOTD50 or leave a message on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Ben Smith
BBC Sport

"Liverpool will resume talks with Mario Balotelli's representatives this morning over the terms of his proposed £16m move to Anfield.

Image source, Getty Images

"While his agent is in England, the player remains in Italy and will only travel to Merseyside for a medical if Liverpool get assurances today about Balotelli's commitment to training and off-field discipline, with the club insistent that various clauses be agreed to, in order to uphold his standards of behaviour.

"Liverpool are prepared to offer Balotelli a five-year deal worth just shy of £120,000 per week. But, I'm told it is very unlikely that the deal will be completed by noon today, meaning that he will not be eligible to make his debut against Manchester City on Monday."

Yesterday's big story was that Liverpool had a £16m bid accepted by AC Milan for ex-Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli. Want to know the latest? Of course you do. I know just the man to tell you.

Tennis: British number two James Ward is one match away from reaching the US Open main draw for the first time after winning in the second qualifying round.

Swimming: Jazz Carlin won Great Britain's fourth gold medal in the pool at the European Championships with victory in the 800m freestyle.

Image source, AFP

Disability sport: Teenage sprinter Maria Lyle, 14, claimed her second gold medal at the IPC Athletics European Championships in Swansea.

Formula 1: Nico Rosberg said he has "learned" from the controversy over team orders with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton at the last race.

England midfielder Jill Scott:, external Great effort to beat Wales 4-0 and more importantly to book our place at next year's World Cup! Canada, Canada, Canada! #Lionesses.

Midfielder Fara Williams:, external So proud to be a part of the England squad, great result to qualify us for the World Cup in Canada next year #excitingtimes

Striker Toni Duggan:, external Always dreamt of playing at a senior World Cup & that dream just got a little bit more real.

Defender Stephanie Houghton:, external World Cup Canada 2015 here we come. So proud of everyone who has helped us get there. What an achievement.

Image source, PA

England secured their place at the 2015 Women's World Cup as they thrashed Wales 4-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Mark Sampson's side were impressive as they eased to their ninth World Cup qualifying win in a row to book their spot in Canada.

Goals from Karen Carney, Eniola Aluko, Laura Bassett and Lianne Sanderson (pictured) were enough to give England the point they needed to qualify. Second-placed Wales can still progress if they make the play-offs.

Image source, Getty Images

So let's start with a look back at last night's football.

Tottenham won the first leg of their play-off tie in the Europa League as goals from Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane saw them come from a goal behind to beat AEL Limassol of Cyprus.

But Steve Bruce's Hull City need to win the second leg to have any chance of qualifying for the main competition after losing in Belgium to KSC Lokeren.

Hello there, good morning and thank you for joining us for Sportsday Live. We are in a nostalgic mood today and we will be looking back at 50 years of Match of the Day.

But don't worry, we are not just going to be stuck in the past, oh no. We will have all the latest transfer news and gossip and hear from seven managers as they face the press before this weekend's Premier League games.

So stay with us, it is going to be a busy day. Here we go.

On 22 August, 1964, Kenneth Wolstenholme presented a new football programme on BBC Two with coverage of Liverpool's 3-2 win against Arsenal.

With "She Loves You", the hit song from The Beatles, bursting out of the Anfield PA system, Wolstenholme told viewers: "Welcome to Match of the Day, the first of a weekly series coming to you every Saturday on BBC Two. As you can hear, we're in Beatleville."

Fifty years later and Match of the Day remains one of the most iconic sports programmes on British television and is still going strong today.