Vietnam naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son returns to national team 10 months after serious injury

Nguyen Xuan Son (number 12) during Vietnam's 3-2 win over Thailand in the second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup final, at Rajamangala Stadium, Thailand on Jan. 5, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Dong

This marks Son's first return to the national team since Jan. 5, when he suffered a severe injury that left multiple fractures in his right leg during the second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup final in Thailand.

The 28-year-old striker's return is a significant boost for the team. During Vietnam’s journey to the 2024 ASEAN Cup title, Son played a crucial part, winning both the Golden Boot (seven goals) and the Best Player award.

After 10 months of treatment, Son returned to the football pitch on Oct. 11, playing the final minutes of a practice match for his club, Nam Dinh FC.

Due to the long period of recovery, Nam Dinh have not registered Son for the first leg of the 2025-2026 V-League season. Coach Vu Hong Viet stated he did not want to put pressure on the striker, preferring him to recover completely. Son is expected to be match-fit for his club in early 2026.

The training camp coincides with preparations for SEA Games 33, meaning several U22 players, including Khuat Van Khang and Nguyen Dinh Bac, are absent from the senior squad.

The national team will gather in Hanoi on Nov. 10, train in Phu Tho and then travel to Laos on Nov. 15 for the Asian Cup qualifier match three days later.

Vietnam are currently second in Group F with 9 points, trailing group leader Malaysia (12 points). Only the top team will advance.

Vietnam's standing may change, however, as Malaysia are facing potential 0-3 forfeit defeats for their wins against Nepal (2-0) and Vietnam (4-0) after FIFA sanctioned them for using ineligible naturalized players. As the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has not yet issued a final ruling on Malaysia, Vietnam must focus on defeating Laos. The final group match against Malaysia is scheduled for March 31, 2026.

Son, whose Brazilian name is Rafaelson Fernandes, received Vietnamese citizenship in September 2024. He became the first naturalized player without Vietnamese ancestry to be called up to the national team since 2009.