Qatar 2022: Guangzhou FC’s Ricardo Goulart unable to play for China until 2025, heading home
- Brazilian media say striker has asked to terminate contract with struggling Chinese Super League side
- Domestic media note that naturalised Chinese footballer’s 2019 loan spell with Palmeiras stops eligibility
Naturalised Chinese footballer Ricardo Goulart has returned to his native Brazil after it became apparent he would not be able to play international football for China until 2025, according to reports.
Brazilian media first reported that the Guangzhou FC player has asked to terminate his contract with the financially imperilled Chinese Super League side ahead of signing for a team in his homeland.
The Chinese club, who are owned by the China Evergrande Group, face an uncertain future and it remains unclear whether they will return to the CSL when the league resumes in the coming months. A number of Chinese clubs are struggling financially with reports in Chinese media suggesting that only three of this season’s top flight teams do not owe players unpaid wages.
Goulart naturalised to become Chinese in 2019, taking the Chinese name Gao Late. Reports in Chinese media suggested that he would make his debut for the national team as soon as the paperwork was ironed out with Fifa.
However, he played for Brazilian side Palmeiras in 2019 and the loan spell is understood to have affected his eligibility to play for China.
