Jesse Lingard is enjoying a fresh start in Brazil, making history as the first English player to feature in the country’s top football league and aiming to win silverware with Corinthians.
The former Manchester United forward has quickly settled into life at his new club and recently scored his first goal in the Copa do Brasil.
Lingard’s move to Brazil raised some eyebrows, but the 33-year-old said he chose the club to challenge himself at a high level.
“I had offers, but I wanted to test myself. I came here to win a trophy,” he said in an interview.
He joined Corinthians after a spell with FC Seoul and credited former teammate Memphis Depay for helping him make the move and adjust to life in Brazil.
Lingard made his debut against Fluminense at the iconic Maracanã Stadium, describing the experience as “amazing” after a long period without competitive football.
However, his arrival coincided with a difficult period for the club. Coach Dorival Junior was sacked following a poor run of results, with Fernando Diniz later taking charge. Since then, the team has improved, winning matches in the Copa Libertadores.
Lingard also spoke about the passion of Corinthians supporters, saying their presence at training sessions showed how much they care about results.
Adjusting to life in Brazil has not been without challenges, particularly the language barrier. Unlike his time in South Korea, Lingard does not have a translator but is trying to learn Portuguese to communicate better with teammates.
Reflecting on his long career at Manchester United, where he spent two decades before leaving in 2022, Lingard described it as an “amazing chapter.” He later moved to Nottingham Forest before heading to Asia.
He is still closely following developments at United and praised former teammate Michael Carrick for the club’s recent improvement, saying he believes Carrick should be given the job permanently.
Lingard also highlighted the performances of United captain Bruno Fernandes, backing him as a contender for the Ballon d’Or after an impressive season.
Looking ahead, Lingard is excited about the prospect of facing top players in Brazil, including Neymar, whom he described as a world-class talent.
The former England international, who played at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, also expressed confidence in England national football team ahead of upcoming international competitions, saying they have the quality to go all the way.
With inputs from BBC