Why does Nilson Corrêa Júnior play for Burkina Faso?
Born in Vitória, Brazil · Citizenship: Brazil
Short answer
Nilson Corrêa Júnior represents Burkina Faso even though he was born in Brazil. FIFA rules allow a player to represent any country whose nationality he holds, provided he has a family or residency connection to it; he committed to Burkina Faso at senior level (first senior call-up on record: 2011).
Birthplace and citizenship
Nilson Corrêa Júnior was born in Vitória, Brazil.
Being born in Brazil normally gives a player the right to represent Brazil too, if he holds that nationality. Representing Burkina Faso instead usually means a parent or grandparent was born there, or that the player lived there long enough to qualify through residency. Public records do not state which connection applied to Nilson Corrêa Júnior, so we do not guess.
International career path
His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:
He only played youth football for Brazil U17 and Brazil U20. Youth caps do not tie a player to a country, so he was free to choose Burkina Faso for senior football.
- Brazil U17 — under-17 level, 1993 (5 matches, 0 goals)
- Brazil U20 — under-20 level, 1995–1997 (6 matches, 0 goals)
- Burkina Faso — senior level, 2011 (1 match, 0 goals)
The rules in brief
A player can represent a country if they hold its nationality and have a genuine link to it: birth on its territory, a parent or grandparent born there, or several years of residency. Youth matches do not tie a player to a country. Since 2020, FIFA also lets a player switch once after a small number of senior appearances (no more than three, all before turning 21, none at a World Cup or continental finals) after a three-year wait.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Nilson Corrêa Júnior play for Burkina Faso?
Nilson Corrêa Júnior holds Burkinabé nationality and chose to represent Burkina Faso at senior level despite being born in Brazil.
Where was Nilson Corrêa Júnior born?
Nilson Corrêa Júnior was born in Vitória, Brazil.
What nationality is Nilson Corrêa Júnior?
Wikidata lists Nilson Corrêa Júnior as a citizen of Brazil.
Could Nilson Corrêa Júnior have played for Brazil?
Probably, if he holds Brazil nationality, as players born in a country are eligible for it. Once a player has played a competitive senior match for one country, switching is only possible under narrow FIFA exceptions.