'I will come back stronger': Vietnam naturalized striker

"Vietnam are the champions. Thank you for the messages," Xuan Son wrote on his Facebook on Sunday night. "I will come back stronger."

Son did not undergo surgery in Thailand but will return to Vietnam for treatment. Both the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and Nam Dinh FC have committed full support to help the Brazilian-born striker recover.

Son is expected to undergo a minimally invasive surgery that promotes quicker recovery and mobility. However, he will need at least six months of recovery before resuming play.

The 27-year-old striker sustained a serious injury during the second leg of the final at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok. While attempting to dribble and deliver a cross into the Thai penalty area, his right leg slammed into the ground, resulting in a fractured fibula and tibia. After receiving first aid on the field, he was taken by ambulance to a Bangkok hospital for X-rays and examination.

From his hospital bed, accompanied by his wife and VFF members, Son watched the remainder of the match on his phone. He was happy when Vietnam secured a dramatic 3-2 victory, winning 5-3 on aggregate to lift the ASEAN Cup for the third time in history.

Vietnam naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son with his wife (R) and the coaching staff at a hospital in Bangkok after he sustained a serious injury during the ASEAN Cup final between Thailand and Vietnam on Jan. 5, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

Despite missing most of the second leg, Son won both MVP and top scorer at the tournament. With seven goals and two assists, he became the third player in ASEAN Cup history to achieve this feat, following Noh Alam Shah of Singapore (2007) and Chanathip Songkrasin of Thailand (2020).

Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai accepted the awards on Son's behalf and held up his number 12 jersey during the ceremony. The team paid tribute to Son by lifting the championship trophy with his jersey.

Son will return to Vietnam with the team on Monday.

A similar injury occurred to Vietnam national player Do Hung Dung during the 2021 V. League. It took him nearly eight months to return to training and gradually increase his playing time.

Son, whose Brazilian name is Rafaelson Fernandes, received Vietnamese citizenship in September. He became the first naturalized player without Vietnamese ancestry to be called up to the national team since 2009.