Tunisia FA Rejects Lucas Ribeiro Naturalisation Talk As Espérance Star’s International Future Comes Under Spotlight

The Tunisian Football Federation has reportedly played down speculation surrounding the possible naturalisation of Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa, with the Espérance de Tunis attacker not currently being considered for a place in the national team.

The development has attracted attention across African football, particularly in South Africa, where Ribeiro previously established himself as one of the most influential attacking players in the Premier Soccer League during his time with Mamelodi Sundowns.

According to a report published by Africa Soccer on November 10, citing information from Erem News, the Tunisian federation has no immediate plans to pursue the naturalisation of the 27-year-old. A source reportedly close to the federation indicated that discussions about granting the player Tunisian citizenship would be premature at this stage.

The report suggests that Ribeiro is still in the early stages of his football journey in Tunisia following his move to Espérance. Any serious consideration of his eligibility would first require consultations between the national team's technical department and federation officials.

This means that, despite the growing speculation, there is currently no confirmed naturalisation process or agreement involving the player and the Tunisian football authorities.

Ribeiro's potential international future has become a talking point because he has not represented Brazil at senior international level. That has encouraged speculation about whether he could eventually become eligible to play for another national team, provided all the relevant legal and football regulations are satisfied.

Tunisia have previously benefited from Brazilian-born footballers who acquired Tunisian nationality and went on to represent the Carthage Eagles. José Clayton, Adelton Pereira and Silva dos Santos are among the examples often mentioned when discussing the country's history of naturalised players.

However, Ribeiro's situation presents a different challenge. Reports indicate that Tunisian nationality regulations require foreign nationals to complete at least five years of residence in the country before qualifying for citizenship. This requirement could make any immediate move difficult, regardless of the player's potential interest.

The forward officially joined Espérance de Tunis in August 2026, signing a three-year contract that runs until June 2029. His arrival followed a complicated transfer situation involving his previous commitments and negotiations between the clubs interested in securing his services.

South African football supporters will remember Ribeiro for his impressive performances at Mamelodi Sundowns, where his attacking quality, movement and technical ability made him a significant figure.

His departure from Sundowns was also followed by a contractual dispute that attracted attention from football authorities and the media. However, that separate matter should not be confused with the current naturalisation discussion.

For now, Tunisia's reported position is clear: there is no immediate plan to naturalise Ribeiro. Whether the situation changes in the future will depend on the player's eligibility, the federation's assessment and any formal discussions that may take place.

Until then, the Brazilian forward's international future remains uncertain, while his performances at Espérance will continue to attract attention.

Source; https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2119856317485486539/photo/1?s=19