Former Brazil Midfielder Oscar Asks FIFA to Change Its Rules

By Mary Anne R. Jul 27 2020, 10:17 AM EDT

Former Brazil midfielder Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Jr. said he is willing to play for China if the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) will change its eligibility rules.

Oscar was former Chelsea attacking midfielder and was moved to Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG in January 2017. He said it is difficult to go to Brazil national team now because everyone in China sees how good he plays.

"If in the end, if the China national team needs 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 was quoted in a report.

Many Brazilians have gone to the process of naturalization to become Chinese citizens. Oscar's former Shanghai SIPG teammate Elkeson Cardoso was the first to play for the national team.

Others followed such as Ricardo Goulart, Alan Kadec and Luiz Fernandinho. None of them have been given international clearance by FIFA.

Based on current rules, Oscar cannot switch to play for another country because he was in Brazil's official competition, including the 2014 World Cup in his homeland.

Oscar has been one of the top players in the Chinese Super League since arriving from Chelsea. He topped the assists charts over the past two seasons.

Elkeson, now dubbed as Ai Kesen, qualified playing for China because he had reached five years residency in China to naturalize. Also, he had not played a competitive international for Brazil.

Meanwhile, Oscar had played 47 times for Brazil and scored 12 times. Under the current rules, even if he were to naturalize, he would still not be qualified to play. Chelsea said Oscar had not played for the national team since November 15.

Oscar had previously expressed his interest to return to the national set-up, according to a report.

"I spent a lot of time in the national team and I love playing for my country. Everyone knows my quality... and the way I play. If I do well I could return to the Brazilian team but my focus is on Shanghai. If I'm happy and playing my best football, things will happen naturally," he was quoted in a South China Morning Post report.

Oscar Emboaba

Oscar signed a four-year deal with SIPG worth £20.8 million ($26.5M) a year. This made him one of the world's highest-paid players.

After moving to Shanghai, he beats compatriots Renato Augusto and Hulk to the award for best provider. Oscar one talked about his motivations for leaving Chelsea for unknown territories.

Oscar said in a report that every football player or every person who works want to earn money to help their families.

"I came from a social background in Brazil that is very poor. We didn't have anything. This is the fruit of my work and when I earn this, it is because I conquered it," he was quoted in a Goal article.