Have you ever played Brazil?

For most club supporters across the world, the answer is simple no. However, Exeter City supporters have the unique claim that their team played host to the Brazil National Team’s first ever fixture, and it is a chant that is still heard from the Big Bank to this very day. 
 
Since 1914, our fair city in Devon has been linked to fifth biggest country through our beautiful game and the ties continue to form new strands and relationships are still blossoming over 110 years later. 
 
Perhaps the Exeter City Brazilian story would never had been written had Tottenham Hotspur not declined the South American tour, with the Grecians stepping in following an invitation from the Argentinian Football Association. 
 
A three week journey by ship ensued, with stops in Spain, Madeira, Rio de Janeiro, Santos and Uruguay before alighting in Buenos Aires. Details aren’t 100% certain, but it is said that the matches against Brazilian team were agreed to by club chairman Michael McGahey upon the stop-off in Rio, where the team would again be stopping on their return journey. 
 
During the first stop off, the team headed to Fluminense for a ‘quick kick about’ where it was agreed they would return for a five day break before heading back to England.
 
After eight matches in Argentina, City’s first match in Brazil would take place on 18 July 1914 against an ‘English in Rio’ team, winning 3-0, before the following day beating the Rio de Janeiro state team 5-3.
 
21st July would see the famed meeting with Brazil national team. After the two previous fixtures, the Grecians were favourites to prevail against the newly formed team, created from a pool of the best local players from Rio and Sao Paolo. 
 
The recorded and generally believed final result was 2-0 to Brazil, with first half goals from Oswaldo Gomes and Osman, but it has been claimed that it ended in a 3-3 draw. Regardless of the final result, it was a game that would lead to a century long relationship between the South West and South America. 

Return of the Masters

It would be 90 years later that the two sides would meet again, as City celebrated their centenary year at St James Park, which turned into a carnival of colour as the Brazilian Masters rolled into town.

A star-studded Brazil XI took the field, with former stars such as Dunga, Jorginho and Mazinho turning out for the Selecao, who were managed by former Fluminense boss Branco. On a vibrant day at the park, 6000 people were treated to an afternoon of Samba style both on and off the pitch, which ranged from dancing displays by a large troupe of Brazilian dancers to a scissor kick from Captain Glenn Cronin which narrowly missed the target. For one day only the tiny corner of Devon became Copacabana Beach, and the national anthems gave the match an extra international football feel. Brazil would turn out 1-0 winners through a spot-kick from Careca.

Flying off to Fluminense

Ten years later, a full 100 years later since Brazil’s inaugural game, Exeter City would return to Rio de Janeiro for a special trip to mark the centenary. Taking place again at the Estadio de Laranjeiras, just a stones throw from the iconic Maracana, Fluminense under-23s were this time the opponents for Grecians. Matt Jay, Ollie Watkins, Matt Grimes and even manager Paul Tisdale himself appeared for the City, who were held to a 0-0 draw in front of an incredible 150 supporters who made the long trip to South America to support their side. 

The original ball used in the 1914 game was also used to kick off the game – it had previously been housed in the Fluminense museum but was kindly donated to the club after the game and can now be seen in our very our Exeter City museum at St James Park. 

City played two other fixtures during the 2014 trip, beating Tupi 2-1 before a 3-1 victory over a Brazilian Select team at the Rio Cricket Ground. 

Links to Brazil

While the current direct connections ended at the conclusion of that tour, there are still links to be found between Exeter and Brazil since. 

In March 2024, Ollie Watkins made his tenth England appearance as the Exeter city academy graduate played against Brazil in a friendly at Wembley Stadium, marking a full circle for the 28-year-old, who played 15 minutes in Rio de Janeiro against Fluminense ten years earlier.

Perhaps the most unique link is the most recent, which was discovered this May. Exeter City fan, and head coach of Brazil Cricket, Liam Cook introduced the club to Laura Cardoso who became the first ever Brazilian to play club cricket in the UK, having joined Exeter Cricket Club. Laura was invited by the club to visit St James Park and the museum, and was taught the history of the links between her home nation and her now local football club.

As a football club, we are proud to sing ‘have you ever played Brazil?’ and we certainly hope our relationship continues to straddle the Atlantic for many years to come.

Força Brasil!