Lingard's touching farewell speech, which is leaving with as much bond as Manchester United with Seoul...I was happy, so I spent two years on the contract
Photo courtesy=FC서울
Jessie Lingard's press conference for joining FC Seoul was held at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Sangam-dong, Seoul on the afternoon of the 8th. Lingard in uniform is posing. Sangam = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.2.8/
Jesse Lingard (33, FC Seoul), the best name value in K-League history, revealed his feelings of having been on the Korean stage for the past two years ahead of the 「Sangam farewell match」.
Lingard attended the pre-press conference for the home game against Melbourne Victory (Australia) in Game 6 of the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) League Stage in the 2025-2026 season at Seoul World Cup Stadium at 6 p.m. on the 9th, saying "Tomorrow's game is my last game"I think I've achieved my goal for two years. As you all know, I found it difficult to play soccer in an unfamiliar culture in Korea on the other side of the world. I recognized that it was a different world. So I repeated that I had to get used to it quickly. Looking back on the past two years, I think I've been doing better than I thought. If I felt that I was not happy, I would have left at any time. It was fun and happy, so I completed the two-year contract period. Every moment was fun and happy. I learned a lot in two years and grew up as a human being. It's coming in a special way. There is a lot of bond between Korea and Seoul."
Lingard will play a farewell match against Melbourne at 7 p.m. on the 10th at Seoul World Cup Stadium. "I don't know if I'll cry after the game, but I cried a lot when I left Manchester United and West Ham. It's because there's a bond. I think there is such a bond with Seoul. I don't think I'll know until tomorrow if I talk to the fans and cry after the game," he said with a smile.
Lingard said of the Nubin K-League for two years "It was not easy because it was such a physical league. This season, many teams came to me bare-marking and physically gave me a hard time. But I took it for granted, and I tried to adapt. There is a part where I am satisfied and happy to be able to play an active role in such a difficult situation. Personally, I think I have matured while in Korea. With the title of captain, I was able to learn maturity that I did not normally have. It was a time when I grew up as a human being."
The best moment in the stadium was "4-2 come-from-behind victory over Gangwon this season", and the best moment outside the stadium was "Encounter with Fans". "So much love was received. Thanks to that, I was able to shoot commercials, TV shoots, and program shoots" For the moment I wanted to forget, I chose 'Electronic Scooter Controversy' "It's a completely unexpected moment. It was taken for granted in Europe, but I didn't realize that it was a big problem in Korea. I was embarrassed, and I was surprised. I want to erase that moment from my memory."
photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association
Lingard, who surprisingly moved to Seoul in February last year, became a K-League sensation for two years. In a home game against Incheon in March 2024, 52,600 spectators visited the stadium, the highest number in 17 years since 2007, realizing the "from Manchester United" Lingard star power. Lingard responded with a unique flute ceremony and a Dooley dance ceremony reflecting the 'Korean Patch'
He also improved his ability to play more than 200 games for Manchester United. In the aftermath of adaptation and injury in the first season, he scored only six goals in 26 games, including the Cup, but in this season, when he completed adaptation, he has played 40 games so far, doubling to 12 goals last season.
In January, he was appointed as Seoul's captain with the full trust of Seoul coach Kim Ki-dong and led by example for a year. Korean players younger than Lingard followed foreign captain Lingard, calling him `Jessi-hyung.' Lingard "I've learned so much in the last two years. I learned a lot from the director and learned a lot from my colleagues. Personally, the most important thing in soccer is personality, character, and personality. When I came in the first year, I felt that the Korean players were quiet and timid than I thought. However, I saw many players expressing themselves this year, and I was happy to see that. It was a proud year as I watched the players talk, make noise, and express their emotions. I thought I wanted to share my experiences over the past two years, especially with young players, and help them grow."
The day after he announced that he was leaving through the official channel, many players came to see me. I took pictures and got autographs on my uniform. I'm a family and I've been friends forever. I'm leaving this team, but I can get in touch anytime, anywhere. If you have a chance to come to London or Manchester, please contact me."
Lingard and Ramin Yamal greet each other in the match between FC Barcelona and FC Seoul at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 31st. Sangam = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.07.31/
If there is a beginning, there is an end. Time has passed so quickly that Lingard and Seoul have already parted ways. Lingard, who signed a 2+1 (optional) contract, will leave the club after the K League 1 regular season last month' conveyed its intention, and Seoul officially announced its breakup on the 5th. In a press release, the club said 'Lingard has shown a special presence on behalf of Seoul over the past two years that not only increased its power but also greatly increased its brand value and status. He evoked tremendous syndrome and played as a player who symbolized the entire K-League beyond the team. In response, the club pushed for more together by invoking the option of an extended contract with Lingard, but Lingard said it was the right time to start a new challenge and expressed his willingness to put on the next stage of the football journey. The club decided to finally accept the player's request with a grand victory with gratitude and respect. We will express our infinite respect and gratitude to Lingard for doing everything for the team in a consistent way, and we will give generous support to the new challenges."
Seoul coach Kim Ki-dong, who left Pohang after the 2023 season and took the helm of Seoul, has been in constant contact with Lingard for two years. Even when criticism was raised about Lingard's performance, he showed full trust to the extent that there were few ways to exclude Lingard from the starting lineup. Director Kim said, `When I first met Jesse, I was overwhelmed. Experience with such a level player is almost impossible in Korea. We bickered each other for the first time, but we got to know each other over time. We found out what each other wanted. I don't know if it's my heart. I learned about what kind of personality they are, what they like, and what they should do on the field. Since we're breaking up with Lingard, I think we'll be able to produce better performances if we spend more time together. In tomorrow's game, I think I will show what I showed in the last ACL game. The players next to me will help me, so I think I'll show better performances than the last game."
Lingard said of his future plans "Only God knows. You need to take a mental rest for now. I'm thinking of spending the end of the year with my family. My physical condition and physical strength improved for two years in Korea. I have confidence that I can do well wherever I go. I'll see you in January." There may be a case of making a comeback on the European stage by building up in the K-League.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
