Lingard on choosing Corinthians, surprised by fans' backlash | OneFootball

Attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard commented on the reasons that led him to accept Corinthians’ offer and detailed his first impressions since arriving in Brazilian football. According to GE, the player also addressed the impact of pressure from the fans during a recent period of instability at the club. 

According to the athlete, the decision to play in Brazil was directly linked to his desire to keep competing at a high level, even after his spell in Asian football. In an interview with the BBC, Lingard highlighted the stature of Corinthians and the national league as decisive factors.

Photos: Rodrigo Coca/Corinthians Agency

“It’s still high-level football. I think I can play at a high level. For me, it was just a matter of competition — how big the club is here, how big the league is. I received offers, but I still want to test myself. I came here to win a trophy,” he said.

Beyond the sporting aspect, the player said he was surprised by the intensity of the relationship between the fans and the squad, especially after an episode in which organized supporter groups were at the training center to speak with the players.

“I’d never experienced that before. Fans coming into the training center… talking to us. You can see their passion for us to do well and win. That only gives us more reason to win on match day. When you don’t meet expectations, of course you’re going to be criticized,” he stated.

While adapting to the new environment, Lingard also commented on day-to-day communication with the squad. The attacking midfielder said he relies on teammates who speak English, but showed interest in learning the local language.

“Some players speak a bit of English and translate a little. But I want to learn Portuguese. Korean was very difficult. I learned a few words, but I feel like here I could really learn the language,” he added.

Since arriving at Corinthians, Lingard has played eight matches, two of them as a starter, and scored one goal. The player’s contract with the club runs until the end of 2026.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.