Lingard is converting grumpy fathers by the day
Jesse Lingard has received a lot of criticism throughout his career, and very little of it was justified. Whether it was people not appreciating what he brings to the pitch, or getting irrationally annoyed at his dancing, not everyone has warmed to the Manchester United player.
But that is changing. Now wearing the famous number 7 shirt, he embodies the character of this England team; hard-working, positive, happy, energetic, flamboyant.
As well as being an excellent footballer, he comes across as a thoroughly likeable bloke. He is the joker of the pack, but on Saturday afternoon he showed us his more sentimental side, as he was surprised by his mother who had flown out to see him in Russia.
After England beat Colombia on penalties, 'J Lingz' tweeted a picture of himself on the pitch speaking to his mum on the phone, captioned 'No mum, I'm not coming home. It's...'
https://twitter.com/JesseLingard/status/1014264872425721857
If England weren't going home, she was going to have to come out to Russia and did exactly that. Their reunion was heartwarming to say the least.
https://twitter.com/JesseLingard/status/1015645150129938440
England will now face Croatia on Wednesday in their first World Cup semi-final since 1990. The winner will play either France of Belgium in the final on 15th July.
