[1] Lewis first played for Geylang United, and is recognised as one of an outstanding trio of keepers – the other two being Shahril Jantan and Hassan Sunny – that have turned out for the club.

Balestier Khalsa coach, Abdul Karim Razzak, described him as "a goalkeeper that can win 20 points for his team in a season".

[4] A teenage Lionel Lewis was touted by former Singapore coach Vincent Subramaniam as a future international,[citation needed] and the lanky keeper fulfilled those expectations with his progression into the senior squad.

Lewis, who has a huge following, made his senior debut for the Singapore national team in a 2–0 friendly win over the Maldives on 9 April 2002.

He represented the Singapore national team in the Tiger Cup, South-east Asia's premier football tournament.

He made his name in Tiger Cup 2004, when his impeccable performances between the sticks helped Singapore to a memorable triumph.

While playing for Singapore in the 2006 King's Cup against Thailand, he was knocked unconscious after a clash with Thai forward, Kiatisuk Senamuang.