England Footballer Jesse Lingard Opens Up On Mental Health Battle In Chat With Isle Of Wight Presenter

In a chat with the Isle of Wight's Emily Abbott, England footballer Jesse Lingard has opened up on his struggles with mental health and how it nearly saw him take a break from football.

The Manchester United player joined Islander Emily in her new YouTube series, Presenting.

Following a difficult period at Old Trafford, the 28-year-old has recently rediscovered his form during a loan spell at West Ham.

Nine goals in 10 matches has also seen him win back his place in the England squad.

Episode one of show Presenting reveals Lingard's battles with mental health and his mother’s depression. He told Emily and her co-host Kehn Sable:

"I feel like I wasn't Jesse Lingard. Even when I was playing football matches I feel like the game was passing me by. I just didn't want to be there. It was crazy. 

"Just some of the performances I was playing I was like 'nah'. I was thinking that's not me. Something needs to change so I opened up to Manchester United. I told them what I was going through, what my mum was going through and they were there to help.

"I have had other doctors who have helped too, who have been brilliant."

“I could have easily quit in lockdown. I could have been like: ‘Nah, I don’t want to do it, I quit, I give up’. But the fight in me always brings me back to life.

A pleasure to hang out with @WeArePresenting back in January to chat about mental health and my journey. It’s something that affects us all. People need to speak out and keep the conversation going. Check out full episode https://t.co/Wjg6oiztL9 pic.twitter.com/TUqDpijSEB

— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) April 22, 2021

“Not quit football, just have a time-out, really. I was going into games happy sitting on the bench, and that’s not me.

“My mind wasn’t there, I wasn’t focused at all. I was thinking about other things, and obviously bottling it all up trying to play football, you’re tense, you’re stressed and you can’t do it.

“There were some days where I used to have a game at 8pm and we’d go to the hotel in the afternoon, I’d sleep from two until four, shut my curtains in the dark, and then wake up in the dark and you don’t get any sunlight.

“So I was advised by the doctors, as soon as you get up in the morning, jump out of bed, open the curtains and even the little things can really change your attitude.”

21-year-old Emily, from Shanklin, asked Lingard "when you did open up, was there a specific moment that made you think 'I need to speak out about this?'.

Lingard replied: 

"Yeah, I think it was just things going on with Mum and even me. A lot of things have happened with mum where they couldn't get it sorted and I spoke to the manager and the club doctor and they helped out massively. 

"Like I say the team that I've got around me. I spoke to one doctor to get her sorted. After opening up and sharing my thoughts it made it easier for me and was a weight off my shoulders. 

"I could play football, concentrate and get back to the Jesse Lingard that everyone knows."

You can watch the full episode below:

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If you're struggling with your mental health, you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day on 116 123.

Further information can be found here.