On September 20, Rafaelson, the Brazilian-born footballer, officially received Vietnamese citizenship and will now compete under the name Nguyen Xuan Son for Nam Dinh FC as a naturalized player.
Nguyen Xuan Son, born in 1997 in Brazil, first came to Vietnam in early 2020 to play for Nam Dinh. Over the years, he played for Da Nang and Binh Dinh before returning to Nam Dinh in 2023. His impact on the field has been significant, particularly in the 2023/2024 season, where he made history by becoming the top scorer in a single V-League season with an impressive 31 goals.
Thanks to his stellar performances, Nguyen Xuan Son helped Nam Dinh, under the sponsorship of Thep Xanh, secure the V-League championship. He was also crowned the league’s top scorer and earned a spot in the season’s best XI.
After receiving his Vietnamese citizenship, Nguyen Xuan Son expressed his joy: “Today, I am extremely happy. My dream of becoming a Vietnamese citizen has come true. I love this country and will do my best on the field.”
In the opening match of the 2024/2025 V-League season, Nguyen Xuan Son was unable to participate in Nam Dinh’s match against Hong Linh Ha Tinh as his naturalization process had not yet been completed. However, with his paperwork now finalized, the forward will be eligible to play from the second round onward.
Nguyen Xuan Son’s presence on the field will be crucial for Nam Dinh FC as they aim to defend their title and continue their strong run in the upcoming season. His ability to score and his experience will undoubtedly boost the team’s chances in the league and beyond.
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