Malaysia dream on hold as Gallifuoco awaits naturalisation decision

KL City soccer player Giancarlo Gallifuoco has clarified that his journey towards becoming a Malaysian citizen is not yet finished. Reports suggesting he had been classified as a local player in the Malaysian Football Association's (FAM) Competition Management System (CMS) proved inaccurate. A recent verification revealed that the 32-year-old remains categorized as an Asian quota import player, which includes his listing for the upcoming match against Kuching City.

The uncertainty surrounding his naturalization procedure has left Gallifuoco feeling perplexed. He received a congratulatory note from his mother-in-law, but he remains oblivious to the progress of his application. The player expressed his deep affection for Malaysia and his aspiration to reside there permanently. He stated, "Playing for Malaysia is a dream. My children were born here, and I pray every day to get the call to complete the process."

Gallifuoco's excitement about potentially wearing the Harimau Malaysia jersey at the FIFA Asean Cup is tempered by his lack of information about his naturalization status. He added, "I am excited about it, but right now, I know nothing." The player apologized for not being able to provide more details about his situation, emphasizing his desire to represent the team he loves. Gallifuoco became eligible for naturalization after five years of playing in Malaysia, joining KL City in 2021.