Brazilian foreign player about to naturalize as Vietnamese 'faces setback' in V-League

Geovane Magno, who is close to becoming a Vietnamese citizen, will miss round 7 due to suspension, dealing a heavy blow to Ninh Binh before facing Hanoi FC.

The 2025/2026 V-League season will resume this weekend with several notable matches, and unfortunately for Ninh Binh Club, their key striker Geovane Magno is suspended. The Brazilian player, currently finalizing his Vietnamese naturalization paperwork, will be sidelined in round 7 because of a direct red card penalty from the previous round.

In the round 6 match between Ninh Binh and The Cong Viettel, both Geovane and defender Bui Tien Dung (The Cong Viettel) were sent off following intense clashes. According to V-League regulations, both players must sit out the next two matches, missing rounds 7 and 8. This causes significant personnel losses for both Ninh Binh and The Cong Viettel.

For Ninh Binh, losing Geovane Magno is a major blow to their attacking line. Since the start of the 2025/2026 season, Geovane has been one of the team’s standout players, appearing in all 6 matches and scoring 2 goals. His absence in round 7, during a tough away game against Hanoi FC – who recently appointed former star Harry Kewell as head coach – will put Ninh Binh at a disadvantage offensively.

Not only a team pillar, Geovane Magno is also close to becoming a Vietnamese citizen. According to Ninh Binh Club, they are processing naturalization paperwork for two Brazilian players, Geovane Magno and defender Janclesio, who have met the residency requirements through their time playing and living in Vietnam.

Joining the V-League in 2019 with Sai Gon FC, Geovane quickly proved his quality with excellent technique and finishing skills. He has played for Hanoi FC, Hanoi Police, The Cong Viettel before joining Ninh Binh. To date, Geovane has played 98 matches and scored 32 goals in the V-League, an impressive record for a foreign player.

After more than five years playing and living in Vietnam, Geovane has expressed his desire to naturalize to commit long-term to Vietnamese football. If the process is completed, he promises to be one of the top naturalized players in this V-League season. For now, Geovane must miss two rounds before returning to play for Ninh Binh.

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