“We’re not Brazil, we’re Northern Ireland.”
It’s one of the most famous songs in the Green and White Army’s Windsor Park songbook.
But now, there actually is a little bit of samba style in Michael O’Neill’s team.
Jamal Lewis made one of the most surprising transfers of the summer when he joined Brazilian giants Sao Paulo on loan from Newcastle United.
Once the interest was there, the 26-year-old said the move to one of Brazil’s most successful clubs happened at “one hundred miles per hour” and, before he knew it, he was being greeted by fans in Brazil’s most populous city.
In fact, it was a move that happened so late in the day that the defender flew back into Belfast from Brazil just 24 hours before Northern Ireland’s Nations League opener with Luxembourg on Thursday.
After a quick session on the pitch to get his “legs moving a bit” following his 15 hours of travel to Belfast, via Heathrow, Lewis was ready for selection.
“I arrived around 7pm on Wednesday,” said Lewis, who came on as a second half-substitute in the 2-0 win.
“My bags went missing as well, so it wasn’t the best, but I wanted to make sure I was back in time for the game.”
‘Move was a no-brainer’
So how did Lewis become the first British player to sign for the Brazilian giants? Once he heard there was interest, he said it was a “no-brainer”.
“It was the night our window shut, my agent informed me that Sao Paulo could be interested and he said it could move quite quickly,” explained Lewis, who spent last season on loan at Watford.
“I’ve always been one to test myself. I’ve never wanted to stay and then look back on my career and think ‘what if I did this’ or ‘what if I did that’, so I think this will pay dividends and hopefully will be the start of a great journey.”
Lewis, who broke into senior football with Norwich City before moving to Newcastle in 2020, said he had offers to remain in the UK but he always had ambitions to play abroad.
He admits his Portuguese is “minimal” but is using language apps and will enlist the services of a teacher to help him settle at his new club as quickly as possible.
“Obviously the club is very historic and even though I haven’t stepped onto the pitch yet, the fans have shown the passion and love they have for their club.
“Some people probably thought it was quite random and out of the blue, and I can’t argue with that, but if Sao Paulo were interested in my profile as a player and I’m interested in representing such a big club, it could be the start of a great journey.
“When this came up I grabbed it with both hands.”
After the international window, Lewis hopes to be available to Sao Paulo’s game with Atletico Mineiro on 13 September.
Despite joining on loan, Lewis is hopeful that the move will be the start of a long journey in South America. His contract with Newcastle expires at the end of the Premier League season, and he accepts his time at St James’ Park is likely coming to an end.
“I’ve spoken to the manager [Eddie Howe], I’m in my last year and I’ve done a season-long loan, so that kind of has the writing on the wall there.
“But if Sao Paulo can be my long-term home for the long-term future, that would be amazing.”
‘We can create some magic’
Lewis helped Northern Ireland see out the game at Windsor Park to help the hosts to a fourth win in six matches.
Success in the Nations League could open another possible path to qualification for the 2026 World Cup, and Northern Ireland travel to Bulgaria on Sunday to try and make it two wins from two in Group C3.
“This group of players are capable of winning this group,” said Lewis.
“It’s time for us, especially against this type of opposition in and around us, to keep chipping away and keep getting wins.
“If you get used to winning, you can then grind results out.”
Despite only being 26, Lewis is one of the most experienced players in Michael O’Neill’s youthful squad.
“I just want them to savour it, because you blink and it will pass by quickly,” he adds.
“I love joining up with the boys and there’s great cohesion in the group. I think that’s one of our biggest strengths, and I’ve felt that from when I first played.
“There’s always been a great chemistry and a lovely calm atmosphere to come to.
“If we can just put results together now, I think we can create some magic in the coming years.”
