The Chinese national football team has finally completed the naturalization process for Serginho (30, Beijing Guoan).
On the 5th (Korean time), Chinese 'Sohu' reported, "The last battle for naturalization! Serginho has officially become a naturalized citizen of China. The national team welcomes 'a weapon of mass destruction' to the midfield!"
The media reported, "After a long wait, it is finally done. Serginho's journey to naturalization has finally ended. According to various sources, he has completed all naturalization procedures and obtained a Chinese identity card and passport. Additionally, he has become a key player for the team under coach Branko Ivankovic, wearing jersey number 10."
Serginho held dual citizenship in Brazil and Italy. Therefore, he had to renounce both nationalities before undergoing the naturalization process in China, which took a long time. Sohu explained, "Serginho's naturalization was the most complicated in the history of Chinese football. This process involved legal adjustments among three countries."
However, the reason China did not give up on Serginho is his ability. As an attacking midfielder, he played for Japan's Kashima Antlers from 2018 to 2019 before entering the Chinese Super League (CSL) in 2020 with the Changchun Yatai uniform. Serginho spent four years at Changchun, and this year he transferred to Beijing Guoan.
Serginho is expected to participate in the March A-Match immediately. The Chinese national team will play two matches in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup during the March A-Match. They will play an away game against Saudi Arabia on the 20th and face Australia at home on the 25th.
China is currently in a dire situation with the shadow of elimination looming. They are sitting at the bottom of Group C with 6 points. Although they have the same points as third-place Indonesia, fourth-place Saudi Arabia, and fifth-place Bahrain, they are significantly behind Bahrain (-5) in goal difference (-10). It is difficult to overturn the goal difference with four matches remaining.
The remaining schedule includes matches against Saudi Arabia, Australia, Indonesia, and Bahrain in that order. It would be ideal for China to gain points in these two matches and win against Indonesia and Bahrain.
If China fails to qualify for another World Cup, it will mark a sixth consecutive failure. Since the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, China has not set foot on the World Cup stage even once. They have claimed every time that this time is different, but nothing has changed.
This is why Chinese football is celebrating Serginho's naturalization even more. According to Sohu, his naturalization was delayed more than expected but dramatically completed just before the match against Saudi Arabia. The media expressed hope, stating, "Serginho is set to debut in the life-or-death match against Saudi Arabia, which is a 'must-win.' He can add creativity and empower the Chinese national team."
Additionally, Sohu noted, "Fans are posting messages on social media, 'Finally, today has come after five years of waiting!' Serginho has proven his worth with a record of 100 matches in the CSL, 8 goals, and even wearing the captain's armband from Changchun to Beijing. Now, he will step onto the Middle Eastern battlefield carrying the expectations of 1.4 billion people."
Serginho is not the only new naturalized player joining the national team. Midfielder Hou Yongyong (Yunnan Yikun), who won the scoring title in the Norwegian 2nd division in the 2024 season, has been called up by coach Ivankovic for the first time. However, the naturalization of striker Oscar Maritu (Yunnan Yikun), from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is expected to be delayed.
Meanwhile, there is an atmosphere of confidence surrounding the Chinese football team's victory over Saudi Arabia. Sohu reported, "This time, China has a very high chance of winning the away game against Saudi Arabia. According to recent news, the association's top officials personally saw off the national team to the Middle East and set a firm goal to come away with at least 1 point, or even all 3 points without losing in the away game against Saudi Arabia."
One reason for this is China's extensive training period. Sohu reported, "Chinese football is making a national effort this time and is much more serious than Saudi Arabia. The Saudi league only finishes on the 15th and sacrificed just one day for this training. The total training period is only 5 days. However, the Chinese Super League has already halted its league, and the national team arrived in the Middle East yesterday, allowing for a total training period of 18 days."
There is even confidence that the strength of China and Saudi Arabia is similar. The media asserted, "This time, the capabilities of both teams are undeniably comparable. China is likely to have the strongest naturalized player, Serginho, join the team. This greatly strengthens the midfield force." In contrast, Saudi Arabia performed poorly in the last Gulf Cup, leading to the exclusion of several key 30-something goalkeepers and defenders. Key players from the four major Saudi clubs are also being substituted in the league. Their team coordination and overall strength are reportedly declining.
However, it remains uncertain whether China can truly overcome Saudi Arabia. This is because, in September of last year, China suffered an astonishing 1-2 upset loss to Saudi Arabia even at home. At that time, China took the lead with an opponent's own goal in the 14th minute of the first half and had a numerical advantage due to an opponent's red card in the 19th minute. However, they conceded two goals to Hassan Kadiš in the 39th minute of the first half and the 45th minute of the second half, losing to 10 players from Saudi Arabia.
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (reproduction and redistribution prohibited), Sohu, Chinese Super League social media.
[OSEN = Reporter Ko Seong-hwan]