Vietnam's national team will acquire a 'goal-scoring assassin' from Brazil in 2028.

Alan Grafite stands before the chance to obtain citizenship in 2028, paving the way for him to join the Vietnam national team and emerge as a significant offensive threat in the pursuit of the 2030 World Cup.

The prospect of Vietnam's national team possessing a top-tier 'assassin' from Brazil is becoming clearer as striker Alan Grafite faces the opportunity to naturalize in 2028. With a stable playing trajectory in V.League and impressive scoring form, this forward is expected to become a crucial piece in the ambition to elevate the 'Golden Star Warriors,' particularly in the goal of securing a ticket to the 2030 World Cup.

According to the latest developments, Alan Grafite has extended his contract with Hanoi Police Club until 2028. This means he will have at least five consecutive years of playing in Vietnam, meeting the necessary condition for applying for citizenship. If this process is completed as planned, the Brazilian striker could fully join the Vietnam national team right at the peak of his career, as he turns 30.

In reality, Alan Grafite is not an unfamiliar name in V.League. Since joining the league in 2023 with Binh Dinh Club, the nearly 1.9m tall striker quickly established his position with consistent scoring efficiency. Over three seasons, he has scored up to 58 goals across all competitions – a number sufficient to place him among the league's top scorers.

Alan's peak came in the 2024/25 season, when he exploded powerfully amid injuries to many stars. Not only winning the Golden Boot award, this striker was also honored as the season's best player, and featured in the outstanding team lineup. This was a crucial turning point that helped elevate his value and make him one of the most notable foreign players in Vietnam.

In the 2025/26 season, Alan's form remains very high. He has scored 18 goals across all competitions, including 14 in V.League, temporarily leading the scoring chart and distancing his competitors. His positioning, diverse finishing ability, and superior physique make Alan a constant threat to every defensive line.

If naturalization succeeds, Alan Grafite is likely to combine with names like Xuan Son and Hoang Hen to form a powerful Brazilian-origin attacking trio for Vietnam's national team. At ages 30-33 during the 2028–2030 period, they will still be capable of maintaining peak performance, thereby opening significant expectations for the national team in the journey to compete for a World Cup spot – a goal never easy but becoming more realistic than ever.