Hanoi, 19 September, 2025 – Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and national team head coach Kim Sang Sik have officially proposed the naturalization of Brazilian-born centre-back Sant Ana Santos Gustavo, currently playing for Da Nang FC.
On September 19, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a formal request to the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Public Security to support the naturalization process for Gustavo Santos. The proposal, initiated by both VFF and coach Kim Sang Sik, highlights the defender’s quality and long-term contributions to Vietnamese football.
The official dispatch stated: “To continue the success of Vietnamese football in the coming years, particularly towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and the dream of World Cup participation, through evaluation and professional monitoring, it has been determined that the Brazilian national currently playing as a centre-back for Da Nang FC is an excellent and talented player, well-suited for Vietnamese football. Based on the request from the Vietnam Football Federation and the recommendation of the national team head coach, in order to strengthen and promote sporting talent that can contribute to the development of Vietnamese football, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism respectfully proposes that the Ministry of Justice support the procedures to grant Vietnamese nationality to player Sant Ana Santos Gustavo.”
Gustavo Santos, 29, has been a familiar face in Vietnamese football for the past six years. He has played for several V.League clubs, including Viettel, Sai Gon, Song Lam Nghe An, Than Quang Ninh, and Thanh Hoa, before joining Da Nang FC. During his career in Vietnam, he has collected multiple domestic honours, notably winning the National Cup with Thanh Hoa in 2023/24, the Vietnamese Super Cup in 2023, finishing as runner-up in the 2024 edition, and securing a bronze medal at the 2022 National Cup.
Known for his solid defensive skills, aerial dominance, and leadership at the back, Gustavo is considered one of the most reliable foreign defenders to have played in the V.League. His long-term residency and consistent performances make him an ideal candidate for naturalization.
This proposal comes as Vietnam looks to bolster its squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The naturalization of key players has been an ongoing strategy to strengthen the national team, especially in positions where depth is limited.
Alongside Gustavo, another Brazilian-born player, midfielder Hendrio of Hanoi FC, is also in the process of completing naturalization procedures. If both players are successfully granted Vietnamese nationality and later called up by coach Kim Sang Sik, they are expected to become valuable additions to the national squad.
The move underlines Vietnam’s determination to enhance competitiveness on the international stage, with the long-term goal of qualifying for a FIFA World Cup for the first time in history.
Huyen Trang
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