July 28 – Brazilian playmaker Oscar says he would be willing to switch nationality to play for China if FIFA changed its eligibility rules.
The former Chelsea whizz kid moved from the Premier League to Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG for a still-Asian-record of €60 million in January 2017, two years after the last of his 48 appearances for Brazil .
Oscar has been one of the top players in the Chinese Super League since arriving and topped the assists charts over the past two seasons during which time he has won a league title and the Chinese FA Super Cup.
Under current rules, the 28-year-old cannot switch allegiance because he featured for Brazil in official competition, including the 2014 World Cup in his homeland. But asked by Chinese state broadcaster CGTN if he would consider playing for China if the naturalisation rules changed, Oscar replied: “I can think about it because, as I said, it’s difficult to go to the Brazilian national team now because I’m here.
“But in China everyone sees how good I play so if in the end the China national team needs a good midfielder, I think I can help if they change. I like China and the players now, if they change the nationality to go to China, they (the team) can do better.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714018187labto1714018187ofdlr1714018187owedi1714018187sni@w1714018187ahsra1714018187w.wer1714018187dna1714018187
