Takahiro Kunimoto, Japanese midfielder and ex-player of Johor Darul Ta’Zim has revealed he is open to the possibility of donning the China national team jersey in the future, should the opportunity arise.
The 27-year-old playmaker, currently a key figure for Liaoning Shenyang Urban in the China League One, made the statement during an interview with Chinese media, expressing his openness to representing his adopted footballing home.
“I’m open to the opportunity,” said Kunimoto. “If everything aligns with the rules and I’m eligible, it would be an honour to be part of the China national team.”
Since his arrival in China, Kunimoto has become one of the standout performers in China League One, consistently impressing with his vision, technique, and leadership in midfield. Now in his second year playing in the country, the former Urawa Reds and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors star is laying down strong foundations both on and off the pitch.
According to Chinese nationality laws, a foreign player is eligible to apply for naturalization after five continuous years of residence. If Kunimoto remains in China and meets the required criteria, he would become eligible to represent the national team by 2028, at which point he will be 30 years old.
His potential inclusion could be a game-changer for Chinese football, as the nation looks to rebuild and strengthen its international competitiveness. With a growing trend of naturalized players being integrated into national squads worldwide, Kunimoto’s statement adds another layer of intrigue to China’s football future.
Credit Photo : Emmer Farid/SNE Images
