Jesse Lingard: Finding Peace of Mind in South Korea
Former Manchester United and England midfielder Jesse Lingard has spoken about his successful transition to life in South Korea, where he currently plays for FC Seoul. According to a report by the BBC, Lingard has found a new lease on life in the Asian country, where he has been playing for several months.
Lingard’s start in South Korea did not go as planned, as he underwent meniscus surgery that limited his playing time during his first season. However, he has since regained his fitness and is enjoying his football again. “I’m running between 10km to 12km every game, my high-speed runs are always high,” Lingard told the BBC. “I’ve been injury-free the whole season, taking care of my body, recovering better, eating the right foods. Being professional.”
The 32-year-old midfielder admits that adapting to the heat in South Korea has been a challenge, but it has also forced him to develop greater self-discipline. “In England I had my chef and personal trainer with me. Here it is totally different. I’ve got to do it on my own,” he explained to the BBC. “I remember one of the first games in Jeju – I felt like I was blowing after a couple of minutes. So humid.”
Lingard’s decision to leave European football for South Korea raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike. However, he insists that it was the right choice for him. “At the time I wasn’t playing at United, I became stressed because all I wanted to do was play football – and when you become stressed you become distracted,” he said to the BBC. “I’m out here to find peace. Happiness is peace at the end of the day. If you can find that, it doesn’t matter where you are.”
The midfielder believes that his move to South Korea has improved his outlook on life and helped him find a new sense of purpose. “I feel I’ve come on leaps and bounds mentally,” he told the BBC. “I think the move has improved my outlook on life.”
As Lingard’s contract with FC Seoul approaches its expiration date in November, there is speculation about his future plans. The South Korean club has an option to extend his deal by a further 12 months, but Lingard is keeping his options open. “I’ve thought about the future quite a bit,” he added to the BBC. “Not much can happen this season so I just want to concentrate on football. But other possibilities are out there – of course you are going to think about it.”
For now, Lingard is focused on enjoying his football and soaking up the unique culture of South Korea. “It’s been an amazing experience,” he concluded to the BBC. “Different cultures, the people are amazing, the city is amazing.”
Source: BBC Sport.
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