The former Manchester United player who revealed the harsh illness his mother is suffering from

Jesse Lingard, the former Manchester United player, has revealed the personal ordeal he went through during his time at the English club. The footballer confessed that he suffered from depression due to his mother's health problems, which led him to question his future in football and turn to alcohol to numb the pain.

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The Struggle Against Depression

Lingard explained that his mother's depression, which required treatment, deeply affected him. In addition, he had to take care of his two siblings, which increased the pressure on his shoulders. "I didn't want to leave it permanently, but at least take some time off," Lingard confessed. "I was going to games happy sitting on the bench and that's not me."

A Personal Hell

The footballer described a critical situation in which his mind was not focused on football. "I was thinking about other things and obviously repressing it all; trying to play football, you can't do it," Lingard explained. "You feel like you're not the same person, I felt like I wasn't Jesse Lingard."

Manchester United's Support

Lingard highlighted the support he received from Manchester United during his difficult time. "I opened up to United and told them what was happening, what my mum was going through and they've always been there to help," he said.

A Declining Performance

Lingard's personal problems affected his performance on the field. The footballer went more than two years without scoring in the Premier League and became the target of ridicule from fans. In addition, he lost prominence in the team, despite having been a key player for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Resurgence After Lockdown

The lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point in Lingard's life. The footballer used the free time to reflect on his career and regain his best form. "I saw my old games, including those from the World Cup in Russia and thought: 'Yes, that's the real Jesse Lingard,'" he recalled.

A Personal Transformation

Lingard threw himself into the gym and training, determined to come back stronger than ever. "I could have easily given up on everything during the lockdown, and said, 'No, I don't want to do it.' I could have easily given up, but the fight in me always brings me back to life and in the lockdown I threw myself into the gym, doing runs," he explained. "I feel like the lockdown has transformed me in some way."

A New Beginning

Lingard revealed that he even isolated himself from sunlight as part of his depression, and that doctors recommended exposing himself to sunlight as part of his recovery. The footballer has left behind his time in the Premier League and currently plays in the South Korean league, where he is seeking a new beginning in his career.