Scoring over 50 goals in Brazil: 'If I have a chance to wear the Vietnam national team jersey, I will agree'

In a recent interview with Brazilian media, Alan Grafite of CAHN FC made significant comments regarding the potential to become a naturalized player and represent the Vietnam national team.

Alan Grafite is experiencing the most brilliant period since arriving in Vietnam. Not only is he consistently scoring goals and helping Hanoi Police conquer titles, but the Brazilian striker has also publicly expressed for the first time his desire to don the Vietnam national team jersey in the future if he meets naturalization requirements.

In an interview with Globo (Brazil), Alan Grafite reflected on his journey from a player struggling to find his place in his homeland to becoming a top star in the current V.League. After surpassing the 50-goal mark in Vietnam and just winning the V.League title with Hanoi Police, the striker born in 1998 admitted he is enjoying the best phase of his career. Notably, at the end of the conversation, Alan shared special thoughts about the possibility of naturalizing and playing for the Vietnam national team.

Currently, Alan leads the V.League 2025/26 top scorer list with 16 goals. Since moving to Vietnam to play in 2023, his performance has grown remarkably. "After the first goal came, everything continued smoothly. But I believe this is the form I always wanted. In Brazil, people often said I was young and opportunities would come. Sometimes I got playing time, sometimes I didn't perform well, but the key was that I lacked consistency."

The year 2025 marks a major step forward in this striker's career. He scored 28 goals in 38 matches, once ranking among the world's most efficient scorers according to certain international rankings. Previously, Alan also shared the V.League top scorer title, won the Best Player of the Season award, and was included in the league's team of the season.

Before his success in Vietnam, Alan spent many years without real prominence in Brazil. He played for numerous clubs such as Criciúma, Chapecoense, Toledo, Concórdia, Vila Nova, Botafogo-PB, and Confiança. Therefore, his decision to come to Vietnam surprised many."I always wanted to play abroad to have more opportunities on the field. When I received the invitation from Vietnam, I consulted some colleagues who had played here and felt very excited."

The turning point came in September 2023 when Alan joined Binh Dinh. In his very first season, he scored 17 goals in 22 matches and quickly became one of the most beloved foreign players in the league. The Brazilian forward also recounted memorable experiences in Vietnam, from culinary differences to the sight of motorbikes carrying all kinds of objects that amazed him every day.

However, what caught the attention of Vietnamese fans the most was at the end of the interview. After extending his contract with Hanoi Police until 2028, Alan was mentioned by local media as a potential candidate for future naturalization. When asked about the possibility of playing for the Vietnam national team, the striker gave a very favorable response.

"I am very happy. Everything comes from hard work. This is a country that welcomed us with open arms. According to the rules, it takes five years to apply for citizenship to play for the national team. But rumors like this have already emerged after just three years. If I have the chance to wear the Vietnam national team jersey, it would be a great honor, and I would certainly agree. Not only me, but my whole family, my wife, and my son are very happy here."

Alan Grafite's statement will surely attract the attention of many Vietnamese fans. With his consistent goal-scoring form, his long-term commitment to Vietnamese football, and his clear desire to serve the national team, the Brazilian striker is opening up an exciting prospect for the years to come.