West Bromwich Albion striker Peter Odemwingie has backed Welliton's bid to play for Russia.
Russians are currently debating the more complex issue of whether Spartak Moscow's Brazilian striker Welliton should take citizenship and be welcomed into the national team.
Similar debates provoke passionate and ideological viewpoints in England, most recently over the potential for Everton's Spaniard Mikel Arteta to play for Fabio Capello's team.
Arsenal forward and Russia captain Andrey Arshavin is among those who is opposed to playing alongside Welliton, but Odemwingie said: "In my opinion, there should be no resistance.
"If the player and the FA are in agreement, what would be the problem? Look at what happens in European countries: there are Brazilians and Africans.
"But if naturalization has only one benefit - to improve results - it is fundamentally the wrong approach.
"It is important that the player loves the country he is going to play for. We must ask Welliton: is Russia in his heart? It is important for him to know the Russian language."
