KUALA LUMPUR: Brazilian Bergson da Silva is open to the possibility of playing for Harimau Malaya as a naturalised player one day.
The striker, in his second season with Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), however, will have to play for another three and a half years in the M-League to meet Fifa's naturalisation regulation to don Malaysian colours.
Malaysia now have four naturalised players in Mohamadou Sumareh, Guilherme de Paula, Liridon Krasniqi, Lee Tuck and Sergio Aguero.
Da Silva, who joined JDT from Brazilian side Fortaleza on July 1, 2021, has won three trophies with JDT, including Saturday's FA Cup title.
Da Silva will certainly add bite to Malaysia's strike force if he becomes a naturalised player. Last year, he scored 30 goals for JDT and has so far netted 35 this season.
The 31-year-old scored two goals in JDT's 3-1 win over Terengganu at National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
"I don't know anything about this now. However, I am proud of what I have done for JDT, and I like the country and the people. It is great that I am given the support by JDT and the fans in Malaysia," said Da Silva after the FA Cup final.
"I cannot say what will happen in the future. My focus is to get the job done for JDT. We will see after that what happens."
When asked why did he dye his hair blue for the FA Cup final, Da Silva said: "The boss (Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim) asked me to dye it because he likes the colour, so I said 'no problem', then I did it.
Da Silva said he shares a good relationship with strike-partner Fernando Forestieri and Tunku Ismail.
"We knew how important this game was for Tunku Ismail, JDT and the fans. Tunku Ismail has given everything to the club, and he pushes us a lot.
"We are grateful for that as it motivates us to become a winning unit," he added.
Forestieri was in tears in the changing room after the final.
"I cried in the changing room because every trophy is important to JDT.
"This is special because we had a hard time after losing in the knockout stage of the Asian Champions League," he said.
Shortly after JDT were crowned champions, Forestieri posted a thank you message directed to Kedah FA president Sanusi Md Nor and said in brief: "This is for my friend @muhammadsanusimdnor_official. Thanks for your support, and enjoy the Cup".
Forestieri added: "JDT will now focus on retaining the Super League crown and winning the Malaysia Cup."