Jesse Lingard Opens Up About Career Break

Jesse Lingard has shared the personal struggles that influenced his break from football after leaving Nottingham Forest. The midfielder, who spent 2022 and part of 2023 at Forest, faced injuries and limited playing time due to high appearance bonuses and the club's financial constraints. During his time without a club, Lingard's grandmother fell seriously ill, prompting him to prioritize family over football. He reflected on this poignant period in a column for The Times, expressing that it felt like destiny that he would be without a team to care for his family. Tragically, his grandmother passed away in November 2023, leaving his grandfather in need of support. Lingard eventually signed with FC Seoul in February 2024, seeking a fresh start in his career.