KUALA LUMPUR — Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) prolific striker Bergson da Silva has thrown his hat into the ring for Malaysia’s FIFA Asean Cup campaign, declaring himself ready to answer the call should he qualify for selection.
The Brazilian-born forward, who is the all-time leading scorer in the Malaysia Super League, said he has been preparing for the possibility of representing Harimau Malaya and is now waiting to see whether the next step materialises.
Bergson is understood to have completed the required five-year stint in the Malaysian league, making him eligible to pursue Malaysian citizenship through naturalisation.
However, there has been no official confirmation that the naturalisation process has been completed.
Bergson and fellow JDT player Manuel Hidalgo have previously been touted as potential naturalised players for the national team.
In a video interview uploaded to the JomUnited Facebook page, Bergson was asked whether he would be ready to represent Malaysia in next month’s FIFA Asean Cup.
His answer was unequivocal.
“I really appreciate it, thank you. I think yes, I am preparing and I am ready for it (representing Malaysia).
“So, I am just waiting to see what happens for the next step.
“Because we never know, but I am happy to be here and I am looking forward to it,” he said.
Bergson joined JDT in 2021 and has remained with the Southern Tigers ever since, establishing himself as one of the most prolific forwards in Malaysian football.
The 35-year-old has won every major domestic honour with JDT, while also collecting a string of individual accolades.
He has been named the Malaysia Super League’s Best Foreign Player three times, in 2022, 2023 and 2024-25, and finished as the league’s top scorer in 2022, 2024-25 and 2025-26.
With his eligibility potentially opening the door to international football, Bergson’s next step will depend on whether his naturalisation is officially completed and whether he is subsequently called up by the national team. – August 11, 2026