World Cup Dreaming - Jesse Lingard Discusses World Cup Hopes: “I Don't See Why Not”
Jesse Lingard on Brazil, Manchester United and the World Cup
Jesse Lingard has the potential to become another English trend-setter in foreign football, as the first Englishman to ply his trade in the Brazilian top-flight.
The first of his kind, Lingard scored his first goal for new club Corinthians last week in the Copa do Brasil, and revealed his enjoyment of his time in South America so far in an interview with the BBC.
His move, having recently left South Korean side FC Seoul, joined former Manchester United teammate Memphis Depay out in Brazil earlier this year to the raising of many an eyebrow. But the former Manchester United attacker has been settling in well amidst his new environment.
"It's still high-level football, and I think I can play at a high level. For me, it was just about the competition - how big the club is here, how big the league is. I had offers on the table, but I still test myself out. I've come here to lift a trophy."
Speaking to the BBC in his first mainstream interview since heading to Brazil, the 33-year-old spoke at length about his new life, his old one at Manchester United and everything in between.
Jesse Lingard Speaks on Brazilian Life
Lingard's former co-Red Devil, Dutchman Memphis Depay, was amongst the pack who convinced Lingard to join Corinthians earlier this year and has since helped him to settle in. He made his club debut against Fluminense in Rio earlier on in April.
He stated that it was "amazing" to be back playing after months spent without being able to play and having to train alone. However, not even a week after Lingard landed, manager Dorival Junior was sacked from his post with the club sat in the relegation zone. His replacement, Fernando Diniz, has won both of his Libertadores games in charge since he came in.
O primeiro gol de Lingard pelo Corinthians. Barra 0x1 Corinthians.
— Planeta do Futebol 🌎 (@futebol_info) April 22, 2026
🎥 @pvsportbr pic.twitter.com/Z7MPyg1Kbg
Lingard has spoken now about the intensity and passion of football in Brazil, having now experienced the ferocity of the Corinthians fanbase in-person when supporters arrived at the training ground:
"I'd never experienced it before, fans going into the training ground and speaking to us. You see how passionate they are for us to do well and win. It only gives us more reason to win on a matchday. When you fall short, of course, you're going to get the scrutiny."
One stronger challenge for the 33-year-old has been the language barrier. During his time in South Korea, Lingard kept a translator with him but has opted to spend his time in Brazil without one.
"Some players speak a little bit of English and do translate a little bit.
"But I want to pick up Portuguese. The Korean language was very difficult. I picked up a few words, but I feel like here I could actually learn the language."
Lingard Talks All Things Manchester United
Lingard, as would be assumed, has kept a close eye on Manchester United since his departure back in 2022 and spoke of spending an "amazing chapter" with his boyhood side.
Lingard spent 20 years of his life on the books at Old Trafford in some capacity, and departed upon the expiration of his contract in June 2022. He spent time on loan with Leicester, Derby, Birmingham, Brighton and (later on) West Ham United during his time with the Red Devils, and left to join Nottingham Forest for one season afterwards. He made 232 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 35 goals along the way.
"We achieved amazing things but there's going to be a point in time where you move on. For me, it was Korea."
Lingard stated his knowledge that "everyone was a bit shocked" when he moved to Asia, but notes that he needed to do so in order to focus on his game and "clear [his] mind".
Like his new employer, Manchester United have had a rollercoaster campaign. However, perhaps unlike Corinthians as of the moment, obvious success is in sight with the club on course to make a Champions League return, under the interim watch of Michael Carrick in replacement of Ruben Amorim back in January.
🚨🚨🎙️| Jesse Lingard asked whether Michael Carrick should get the permanent Manchester United job:
— centredevils. (@centredevils) April 27, 2026
“Yeah, I think so. I think, you know, he’s got the United DNA inside of him. He knows the ins and outs of the club, and they’re on the right track at the moment. The lads have… pic.twitter.com/k8y9SaymtW
A former teammate of Lingard's, he acknowledges that United have improved tenfold under Carrick and advocates for the former Middlesbrough boss to get the permanent job at Old Trafford:
"It can be difficult with different managers coming in, having different ideas, different personnel, but I think they're really on the right track with Michael. I know him from my United days. I know how he operates. The lads are doing really well under him. He's got that Manchester United DNA inside of him. He knows the ins and outs of the club."
Lingard also spoke of his still-close relationship with club captain Bruno Fernandes. He states that the Portugal star "always wanted to see the best of me at United," and that "he's always been a guy that's been there, that I can always reach out to."
The 31-year-old has been outstanding in the Premier League this season, laying on 18 assists to sit just two short of the all-time record, currently held by Thierry Henry, with five games left to play. Former Red Devil Paul Pogba claimed that Fernandes would be in the running for a Ballon d'Or if he played on the blue side of Manchester with Man City, but Lingard believes he should be in the conversation anyway.
"His performances at Manchester United this season have been extraordinary. He has to be up there."
Lingard on Neymar and the World Cup: "I Don't See Why Not"
When quizzed by the BBC on his favourite Brazilian stars, Lingard named Neymar and Ronaldinho as his choices.
He claims that he occasionally speaks to Neymar, who remains the most expensive footballer of all time, and is composed over the thought of facing him when Corinthians face off against Santos, where Neymar currently plays:
"It's always good to play against world-class players. You can test yourself against some of these guys."
Lingard won 32 caps for England, scoring six goals, including appearances at the 2018 World Cup wherein England reached the semi-finals before defeat against Croatia.
When asked about this summer's rendition of the tournament in North America, he highlighted Brazil, England and France as choicely strong sides, but picked the Three Lions to go all the way and end 60 years of hurt later this year.
"We've always had a good chance," he stated. "I think in big tournaments, we always do well. I believe in the lads. I know how good they are, so I don't see why not."
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