Ternate –
David da Silva reportedly followed his teammate at Malut United, Ciro Alves, in the naturalization process to become an Indonesian citizen. He has a desire to defend the Indonesian national team.
Ciro Alves has applied for naturalization to become an Indonesian citizen (WNI) since early December 2025. The Brazilian striker was accompanied by Malut United officials when he met the Head of the North Maluku Ministry of Law and Law Regional Office, Budi Argap Situngkir.
Alves has lived and worked in Indonesia since 2019. As a result, this former Brazil U-20 national team player fulfilled one of the naturalization requirements, namely living and staying for 5 years in Indonesia.
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Ciro Alves is apparently not the only Malut United player who wants to change citizenship to become an Indonesian citizen. David da Silva is reportedly also interested in naturalization.
Da Silva first started his career in Indonesia by defending Persebaya Surabaya in 2018. He moved to South Korean clubs Pohang Steelers (2019) and Terengganu (2021) before returning to Indonesia in the Persib Bandung uniform.
Da Silva spent 4 years at Persib and managed to win 2 League 1 titles. This 36 year old striker moved to Malut United in 2025.
2026 marks 5 years of Da Silva’s career in Indonesia without breaking up or moving to another country. This player from Brazil can fulfill the requirements if he wants to change citizenship to become an Indonesian citizen.
David da Silva has long expressed his intention to become a naturalized Indonesian citizen. He has big dreams of defending the Indonesian national team.
“I think I will stay here. I hope I play in the national team too, I want to wear the national team jersey,” in a YouTube video broadcast Transfermarkt Indonesia in September 2024.
“We have to dream big, the more we dream, the more we pray. I hope I will be one of those whose prayers are answered to get that opportunity (to defend the Indonesian National Team),” he said.
(bay/aff)
