Latest developments in the case of Brazilian center-back applying for Vietnamese citizenship

According to various reports, the Brazilian defender Gustavo Santos will take the Vietnamese name Đỗ Phi Long upon successful naturalization.

Vietnamese football is undergoing significant changes as many foreign players seek naturalization and aspire to represent the national team. After Xuân Son and Hoàng Hên, center-back Gustavo Sant'Ana Santos (SHB Đà Nẵng) is believed to be the next to obtain Vietnamese nationality.

Specifically, on September 19th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism sent an official letter to the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Public Security requesting assistance with the naturalization procedures for the Brazilian center-back Gustavo Sant'Ana Santos. This proposal came from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and coach Kim Sang Sik.

And according to the latest information, the Brazilian defender will take the Vietnamese name Đỗ Phi Long if his naturalization is successful.

Gustavo Santos has been playing in Vietnam since 2019. His first club was Thể Công Viettel, followed by Saigon FC (2019), SLNA (2020), Than Quảng Ninh (2021), Gremio Esportivo Anapolis (2022), and Đông Á Thanh Hóa (2022-2025). At the start of the 2025/26 season, the defender parted ways with Thanh Hóa to join SHB Đà Nẵng. If he gains citizenship soon, Gustavo could even join the Vietnamese national team earlier than Hoàng Hên, as he already meets the 5-year residency and work requirement.

With an ideal physique and solid playing style, if naturalized, Gustavo promises to be a valuable asset in the defense of the Vietnamese national team.

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