sports
December 21, 2025
‘I made such a bond’: Jesse Lingard on life in South Korea and his next challenge
Former Manchester United player discusses culinary and cultural surprises, feeling more mature and how he learned Korean
TL;DR
- Jesse Lingard found his Korean skills sufficient for dining out and communicating with teammates.
- He tried live octopus, describing it as a moving but ultimately acceptable experience.
- Fans in Seoul often reacted with shock and excitement upon seeing him, requesting photos.
- During periods of poor performance, fans would block the team bus, demanding explanations from the coach.
- Lingard is returning to his hometown of Warrington, open to playing in Europe, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE.
- In his final games for FC Seoul, Lingard demonstrated elite-level stamina and high-intensity running.
- He feels more mature and responsible after his time in Seoul, partly due to being given the captain's armband.
- Lingard had a difficult period at Nottingham Forest before moving to South Korea, exacerbated by his grandmother's death.
- He signed with FC Seoul on February 8, 2024, a high-profile foreign player for the K-League.
- Lingard experienced a false start with an injury but eventually made an impact on the field.
- He lived in a penthouse apartment, with one belonging to South Korean captain Son Heung-min.
- Lingard finished his final season with 10 goals and 4 assists in 34 league appearances.
- He noted shortcomings in FC Seoul's facilities, such as the lack of a canteen and under-soil heating.
- Lingard formed strong friendships, particularly with young player Ham Sun-woo, through whom he learned Korean.
- He experienced a cultural shock regarding dining etiquette where the oldest person must start eating first.
- Lingard became emotional upon leaving FC Seoul, comparing it to his departure from Manchester United, and believes he left a strong legacy.
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