Jesse Lingard opened his account for Brazilian side Corinthians on Tuesday night, scoring the decisive goal in their 1-0 Copa do Brasil victory over Barra. The 33-year-old former Manchester United star joined the South American club last month after leaving FC Seoul in South Korea at the end of 2025.
Lingard's Journey to Brazil
The attacking midfielder spent nearly two years in Asia and moved to Corinthians despite interest from several clubs, including West Ham and Wolves. His start in Brazil has been mixed, with Corinthians sitting 17th in the league after 12 games, though they have won their first two Copa Libertadores matches. Lingard has been eased into action, making just one start before the two-legged cup tie against third-tier side Barra.
Match-Winning Moment
Lingard made the most of his opportunity by putting Corinthians ahead on the stroke of half-time. He finished emphatically on the volley after Pedro Raul headed the ball across goal from a deflected free-kick. His strike was greeted with huge cheers from the away fans, and Lingard celebrated with typical panache. The goal also made him the first British player ever to score in the Copa do Brasil.
Corinthians held on for the 1-0 victory, giving them a slender lead ahead of next month's second leg. Lingard signed an initial deal until the end of the year, with a further 12 months to be triggered if certain objectives are met.
Lingard's Career Path
Lingard, who made over 230 appearances for United and earned 32 caps for England prior to 2022, finished his last season with Seoul having scored 13 goals in 41 appearances. His final match for the club was on December 10, scoring in a 1-1 draw against Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League Elite. His time in England ended in 2023 after a year with Nottingham Forest. Though he played a key role in England's run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, he has not featured for his country since 2021.
