Our attempts at naturalization in soccer ended in frustration. Back in 2010, some members of the local soccer community were adamantly opposed to the naturalization strategy, believing that we could stand on our own two feet and produce international stars. However, such thinking seems naïve nowadays. After the naturalization attempt was launched, numerous coaches imposed restrictions on their playing time and individual strengths. But as time passed, fans gradually realized the value of the naturalization strategy. After all, local players have disappointed us many times. From the initial expectation to the pursuit of a quick win, who can lead Chinese soccer to the ultimate victory?
It should be noted that there is nothing wrong with the naturalization strategy itself, but the problem lies in the perception of some people. Soccer is a team sport, even Ronaldo or Messi, if they are surrounded by only seven or eight mediocre people, may not be able to do. Nonetheless, whether naturalization is the path we are pursuing or not, the road of naturalization in the national football team eventually came to an end. After the failure of naturalization, most of the naturalized players have chosen to leave the team, and it is only a matter of time before they return to their original nationality. However, the process took a long time due to the cumbersome process and strict vetting.
The latest news shows that the first player to renounce his Chinese citizenship has been approved. The coach of the Peruvian Sports University revealed, "He only needs one last document to regain his original nationality." In the previous wave of naturalization, Xiao Tao Tao also managed to land in China. I vaguely remember that crazy period of naturalization, where a little bit of prowess was all it took to become a naturalized Chinese player and enjoy a hefty salary. In fact, Xiao Tao Tao has renounced his Chinese citizenship, but it was quite a convoluted process, and now the transition seems inevitable.
Xiao Tao Tao's individual strength is not outstanding. It can be said that he is like a "bad fish" among the naturalized players. With the wave of naturalization in China, he accidentally entered China. However, due to the lack of strength, he could not get a foothold in the team, and could only be loaned to China's First Division League, but his performance was mediocre. Now, with the domestic soccer bubble bursting, he certainly won't have a foothold anymore. But it doesn't matter to him because he's making money in China. At a stage when naturalized players are paid quite well, the influx of capital is unusually fierce and money seems to be an uncapped number.
Furthermore, Xiao Tao-tao is a Chinese player because he has Chinese blood. After naturalization, he should rightly be regarded as Chinese, but now that the situation has been reversed, who is to say that a player with blood ties is necessarily more loyal? In fact, the main reason he was able to obtain Chinese citizenship was precisely his Chinese blood. If he was truly committed to soccer and proved himself, he would have had the chance to be part of the national team, but he didn't make sure of that. Now, after accumulating enough wealth, he has chosen to return to his homeland, free and clear, while the national team is left in the lurch.
