In recent days, rumors about the naturalization of Shandong Taishan’s star foreign striker, Cressan, have been growing. According to multiple domestic media reports, the Brazilian forward is not only open to the idea of becoming a Chinese citizen but is also strongly eager to represent the Chinese national team. With his current form and length of stay in the Chinese Super League (CSL) approaching the required five-year residency for FIFA naturalization, he fits perfectly as a high-caliber forward for China’s attack. However, the Chinese Football Association faces practical challenges in making this happen.
After a recent CSL match where Shandong Taishan beat Shenzhen Peng City 2-1, Cressan scored both goals, showcasing his clinical finishing. In a post-match interview, he directly addressed the naturalization rumors, stating that he is well adapted to life in China and would welcome communication with the national team coaching staff. This marks a clear indication of his desire to join the national side.
Earlier, Cressan had posted a photo on social media wearing a Chinese national team jersey with the number 20, sparking widespread speculation. He later explained that the jersey was a gift from teammate Xie Wenneng, but the gesture still highlighted his interest in representing China.
From a regulatory standpoint, Cressan meets all the conditions for naturalization. FIFA rules allow players without senior national team appearances for their birth country and who have lived continuously in a country for five years to be naturalized. He joined Shandong Taishan in April 2022 and will fulfill the residency requirement in April 2027, at which point he will be 30 years old—still in his prime for international football.
On the pitch, Cressan’s statistics are impressive. In over four seasons with Shandong Taishan, he has played 137 matches, scoring 87 goals and providing 31 assists. This efficiency addresses a long-standing weakness of the Chinese national team: the lack of a reliable goal-scoring striker. If successfully naturalized, he could significantly boost China’s attacking prowess and improve their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
Despite Cressan’s willingness and undeniable talent, the naturalization process faces a major obstacle. Under current CSL regulations, each club can register only one non-blood-related naturalized player. Shandong Taishan already has Delgado occupying that slot, making it impossible to register Cressan directly. To move forward, the club would need to either sell Delgado or involve a third-party club to facilitate the process. Otherwise, the deal may not succeed.
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