The Football Association of Malaysia continues to push forward with naturalization amid controversy

Malaysia's head coach, Peter Cklamovski, is attracting significant attention from Southeast Asian media after a small gesture that sparked widespread speculation.

The Australian strategist leaving a Malaysian flag emoji under a post about striker Bergson Da Silva quickly ignited rumors about the possibility of the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) forward soon representing the Malaysian national team.

At 35 years old, Bergson continues to demonstrate his high level and lethal scoring instinct in the Malaysia Super League. In a recent match against Selangor FC at MBPJ Stadium, the Brazilian-born striker haunted the opponents again by playing a key role in JDT's 2-0 victory. This goal not only helped the southern team strengthen their domestic dominance but also propelled Bergson to the top of the 2025/26 season’s top scorer list with 13 goals, despite having missed games due to injury.

Bergson's consistent form and impressive goal-scoring record make him a name that the Malaysian national team coaching staff cannot overlook. The head coach Peter Cklamovski’s action of resharing an Astro Arena interview post along with the Malaysian flag emoji is seen as a meaningful signal. Although no official statement has been made, experts believe this could be the first step toward Bergson’s naturalization plan to boost the national team’s attacking strength in the near future.

Beyond his on-field performance, Bergson has won great favor from Malaysian fans thanks to his quick adaptation to local life. The striker, born in 1990, has often demonstrated his ability to communicate in Malay and shared his fondness for traditional dishes like nasi lemak and nasi goreng. These relatable moments have strengthened fans’ belief that Bergson truly considers Malaysia his second home.

According to regulations, Bergson has played in Malaysia since 2021, and the 2026 season will mark his fifth consecutive year there. This means the JDT striker fully qualifies for naturalization and to represent the national team if all parties agree.

Although everything remains speculative at this point, the signal from Coach Peter Cklamovski certainly opens up a promising outlook. Malaysian national team fans have reason to anticipate a major breakthrough in the effort to strengthen the national squad.