FORMER Chelsea star Oscar wants to surrender his Brazilian passport in order to represent the Chinese national team.
Current Fifa laws do not allow players to switch international allegiances if they have already played in a competitive match for their country.
But the 48-cap Selecao star wishes that was not the case.
Oscar, 28, told CGTN: “As far as I can, I can think about, it’s difficult to go to Brazil national team now because I’m here, but in China everyone sees how good I play.
“If in the end, if the China national team need one good midfielder, so I can help if they change.
“I like China but I think the players now, if they go to change the nationality to go to China, they can do better also.”
Oscar left West London for Shanghai SIPG in January 2017, helping the club to its first ever league title in 2018.
And having seen his former team-mate and fellow Brazilian-born player Elkeson become the first ever naturalised Chinese national team player last year Oscar, who last played for Brazil in 2015, is interested in following suit.
Elkeson, 31, now known by his Chinese name Ai Kesen, sacrificed Brazilian citizenship in order to become eligible – and has netted three goals in his first four caps for his adopted nation.
Fellow Evergrande star Aloisio has also been naturalised but is yet to be capped – while London-born former Arsenal midfielder Nico Yennaris, now Li Ke, sacrificed British citizenship to represent the country of his mother.
China are hoping to qualify for their first World Cup since 2002, having endured a barren spell in international football.
Managed by Marcello Lippi at the time, China came fifth in their World Cup 2018 qualifying group – behind Iran, South Korea, Syria and Uzbekistan.
Now under the stewardship of former Everton midfielder Li Tie, the Dragons have beaten the Maldives and Guam in 2022 qualifying – but also slumbered to a disappointing 0-0 draw in the Philippines and a 2-1 setback against Syria.
