Former West Ham United star Jesse Lingard made history when he joined Brazilian giants Corinthians.
Lingard’s strange career after leaving West Ham United took him to Brazil in March and he duly became the first ever English player to ply his trade in the Brazilian top flight.
I’m going for Pablo to start – let me know YOUR thoughts 👇
Off the bench to score late again please 🫡
The 33-year-old has played in South Korea and now Brazil since leaving West Ham, having delighted supporters here in east London during a loan stint in 2021 which saw him score nine goals in 16 games.
Much was made on social media after the former England star changed his shirt name to ‘J Lingz’ when playing for his new club, but there’s a reason for it.
All Corinthians players change their shirt names to support Generic Drug Act
All of the Corinthians squad wore nicknames on the back of their shirts against Barra to support what is known as the Generic Drug Act.
That was passed by the Brazilian Ministry of Health back in May 1999 and is said to be credited with making quality medicine cheaper and more available to the general public.
Between 1-10, how would you rate West Ham’s survival chances if they beat Newcastle? 😬
A statement posted on the club’s official Instagram page read: “In honor of Generic Day, which is celebrated on May 20, Hypera decided to show the importance of these drugs in public health and #TimeDoPovo is included to show that the name may be another, but it has the same effect for everyone!”
Lingard appeared in the game, a 1-0 victory for his side in the Copa do Brasil, and had his nickname blazed across his back.
At this stage, there is no suggestion that the change will be a permanent one.
Lingard was linked with a return to West Ham in January 2026 but now looks way off ever returning to English football.
The former Manchester United star is set to stay in Brazil until the end of their season. So far, he has scored two goals in 13 games for the Sao Paulo giants.
Lingard invoked the ire of West Ham fans when he opted to join Nottingham Forest from Manchester United after enjoying such a brilliant spell here in east London.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
