Thien Truong stadium, 22 June, 2025 – On the day Nam Dinh lifted the V.League 1 – 2024/2025 trophy, star striker Nguyen Xuan Son expressed his determination to return stronger and target revenge against Malaysia in the reverse fixture of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Son, who has been sidelined since suffering a foot injury in the second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup final earlier this year, was absent from Vietnam’s recent 0-4 loss to Malaysia in the second matchday of Group F. Shortly after the defeat on June 10, Son posted “31/3/2026” on Instagram — the date of the rematch between Vietnam and Malaysia.
“Posting that date was my way of saying I want to return and avenge the loss against Malaysia,” Son told reporters after the trophy ceremony at Thien Truong Stadium. “Losing 0-4 was extremely hard to accept, not just for the team, but for every Vietnamese football fan. I was heartbroken watching that game, and it has fueled my desire to come back stronger.”
The 28-year-old is still undergoing rehabilitation and does not have a fixed return date, but he remains focused on his recovery. Despite missing most of the season, his impact on Nam Dinh’s campaign remains significant.
In the previous 2023-2024 season, Son was unstoppable, scoring a record-breaking 31 goals to lead Nam Dinh to their first-ever V.League title. He was named both Top Scorer and Player of the Season, breaking Le Huynh Duc’s long-standing record of 25 goals from 1996.
Although he played only the first seven rounds this season before injury, he still managed to score seven goals, helping Nam Dinh get off to a strong start. His absence was deeply felt, but the club rallied to win their final seven matches, including a crucial 3-0 victory over title contenders Hanoi FC at Hang Day, and secured the title with one round to spare.
“Winning this time feels even more special than our first championship,” Son said emotionally. “It’s incredibly meaningful to defend the title. I’m proud to be part of this team.”
Son, originally named Rafaelson, was born in Brazil in 1997 and received Vietnamese citizenship in September 2024. He became the first non-Vietnamese-origin player since 2009 to be called up to the national team. He played a vital role in Vietnam’s ASEAN Cup 2024 triumph, scoring seven goals and winning both the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awards.
Since joining Nam Dinh in 2020, Son has had spells at Da Nang and Binh Dinh before returning to the club in 2023. In early 2025, he signed a long-term contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2031.
With 75 goals in 100 official matches across the V.League, National Cup, and Super Cup, Son is already one of the most prolific scorers in modern Vietnamese football. Barring setbacks, he is expected to resume full training in September and could return to action in early 2026, just in time for a potentially decisive showdown with Malaysia.
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