Jaden and Franco Umeh were always kitted out in Republic of Ireland jerseys growing up in Cork.
Jaden would get 'J Umeh' printed on the back. Brother Franco would request 'Umeh', no initial required. Being the elder sibling comes with certain privileges.
They cut their teeth at Ringmahon Rangers, a club that's produced a raft of fine footballers. Every time the Umeh boys went to Ringmahon Park, they'd walk past the framed jerseys of Caoimhín Kelleher and Alan Browne. It was an exhibition of the club's potential to produce Republic of Ireland internationals, and a declaration of what is possible if you dare to dream.
Tomorrow night, Jaden Umeh will share a dressing room with Kelleher as a fellow senior international, his family proudly watching on from the Aviva Stadium stands. It will be the Benfica attacker's first ever visit to Lansdowne Road.
Franco, 21, is playing at Portsmouth now and has been capped up to Under-21 level. There's still time for him to get a cherished full call-up and play on the same Ireland team as his 18-year-old kid brother.
For now though, it's Jaden's name on a green jersey. And there will be no initial required.
"I will have a lot of family there, definitely," Umeh said ahead of tomorrow night's friendly against Qatar, with a potential debt on the cards.
"Cousins, mum, dad, sister. I don't even know how (many people) my mum is going to invite, but I know there's going to be a good amount of people supporting me there.
"(Myself and Franco) still dream about (playing together for Ireland). It's possible. Anything is possible at this time. That's definitely one of our dreams. It's a dream for our family as well. I'd love to see my mum see that and my dad. It would be something special."
Umeh moved to Cork City after turning heads at Ringmahon. He didn't take long to impress. Tim Clancy was at the helm in Turner's Cross at the time and said on OTB Sport recently: "I'm not exaggerating here, a lot of clubs in Europe wanted to sign him. I know Man United wanted to try and sign him for when he was 18, a similar thing to what (Shamrock Rovers player) Victor Ozhianvuna did with Arsenal. A host of the Italian top clubs came in."
Benfica won the race. Umeh has yet to feature for their first team but he recently trained with them under the watchful eye of Jose Mourinho, who has since left for Real Madrid.
"I heard the style of play, how they are as a team, that friendly competition, because that's what makes players better," Umeh said when explaining why he chose to go to Portugal.
"The plan they had for me was good. I think it was a good next step for me, especially leaving Cork City at the time, going to one of the best academies in the world. It's been really good so far.
"They have (told him there's a pathway to the first team). That's why it was leading into my decision when I was moving over.
"I went over there at 16 on my own but I had the right people in the club around me. I got close to my team-mates, close to the managers, my family did come over a few times, but the squad I had through my years in Benfica has been very good. They keep helping me, giving me the information I need, even when I was struggling with the language, they translated for me. So it has been very nice."
Umeh was in Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad for the friendly against Grenada in Spain earlier this month but he withdrew. Benfica needed him to help their Under-19s seal a qualification spot in next season's UEFA Youth League.
He's well regarded in Lisbon, and very highly rated in the Ireland setup. Umeh was one of the stars of the Ireland Under-17s' march to the last 16 of the World Cup in Qatar last November.
For those who haven't seen him in action, he lays out his main strengths.
"I like one-v-ones, I'm quick, or that's what people say anyway. I like to do skills, I win my aerial duels, I like goals, assists, just a modern-day winger.
"I do feel ready and especially with this opportunity that I have again. I was very lucky. I'm here now and I just want to take this opportunity and keep on moving."
Captain Nathan Collins will get Umeh and all the other new arrivals to sing an initiation song at some point this week. His tune of choice? The catchy 2015 hit Cheerleader by OMI.
When he's ushered up to belt it out, Umeh will be cheered on by Kelleher, Jake O'Brien and Chiedozie Ogbene - three proud Corkmen.
Maybe then all this will start to sink in.
"Just growing up, they were the talk of Cork," added Umeh. "To be here with them is definitely something special. I'm grateful for this opportunity."
Watch Republic of Ireland v Qatar on Thursday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app.
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
