Xuân Son dreams of conquering the world with the Vietnam national team

Hailing from Brazil and shaped by his football experiences in Japan and Denmark, Nguyen Xuan Son has not only found success in Vietnam. He has discovered a homeland.

The 29-year-old striker harbors a dream of playing on the biggest stage of world football, the FIFA World Cup. However, he understands that this journey must begin by helping the Vietnam national team continue to assert its dominance in the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026.

In his very first appearance for the Vietnam national team at the 2024 tournament, Xuan Son made a strong impression by winning the top scorer title with 7 goals, while also being voted the best player of the tournament, contributing to the Golden Star Warriors' third Southeast Asian championship.

However, that was also a bittersweet campaign, as a serious leg fracture in the second leg of the final against Thailand interrupted his joy and forced him to face the biggest challenge of his career.

"That period was really difficult. When I broke my leg, I thought my career might be over," Xuan Son recalled.

"There were many different emotions. In that tournament, I became champion, top scorer, and best player. But now everything is different. It's a new year and the team has changed too. I just want to give my all for the team, and I think all the players share the same mindset. We fight for this cup for the people of Vietnam. The fans are very eager to win this title."

After 10 months of treatment and recovery from a fractured tibia and fibula in his right leg, along with the support of his family, Nam Dinh Club, and the Vietnam Football Federation, Xuan Son made a strong comeback in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup 2025/26 last December.

He shared the top scorer title with 7 goals, leading Nam Dinh to the semi-finals, marking an impressive return after one of the most serious injuries in football.

"I only thought about returning to the pitch and playing again. I feel very lucky. People also gave me a lot of support. That was extremely important after an injury like a broken leg.

I think the love of the fans was the most important thing during that period. When you feel that affection, you gain extra strength to overcome all the recovery exercises that need to be completed."

Xuan Son's determination also stems from his journey of pursuing football dreams since he was very young. Growing up in the town of Pirapemas, he left his family at age 14 to go to Salvador to join a football academy.

After many years playing in Brazil, he began his overseas journey in 2018 and 2019, experiencing football in Japan and Denmark before arriving in Vietnam at the end of 2019.

That decision completely changed his career. Xuan Son began his time playing in Vietnam with a short stint at Nam Dinh, then moved to SHB Da Nang and Binh Dinh, where he became the V.League top scorer in 2023. Not long after, he returned to Nam Dinh, helping the team win the national championship and again claiming the top scorer title in the 2023/24 season.

In September 2024, after 5 years living in Vietnam, he officially became a Vietnamese citizen and took the name Nguyen Xuan Son, while still maintaining his connection to his Brazilian roots through his original name Rafaelson.

"Truly, experiencing a different culture has brought me a lot of good things," Xuan Son shared. "When I came to Vietnam, I always tried to learn about the culture, adapt to the country as well as Vietnamese football. I love Vietnam more and more, and my family does too.

My two children were both born in Vietnam, and this country holds a very special meaning for me. I want to live here for the rest of my life. It's wonderful to receive love from everyone."

His contributions to the Vietnam national team have been recognized by being appointed as one of the team's vice-captains for the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026. He accepts this honor with pride as the Golden Star Warriors prepare to host Group A leaders Singapore at home in Hanoi at 8:00 PM on July 31.

"That motivates me to give my all and show my teammates and coaching staff what I can do," Xuan Son said. He was also one of the goal scorers in Vietnam's 7-0 victory over Timor-Leste in their opening match last weekend.

"When you carry such responsibility, you have to try harder. I think pressure is a positive thing because when there is pressure, you give more to the coach, in training, and in matches. We are ready to take the field and ready to win because the team has many quality players. We will give 100% to become champions again. That is the challenge."

Ultimately, besides the goal of defending the ASEAN Hyundai Cup title, Xuan Son's greatest aspiration is to help the Vietnam national team qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time.

"My dream is to play in the World Cup. I think about it a lot because if I can do that for this country, it will be one of the most special moments in Vietnamese football.

That is also my family's dream. I am doing my best and hope that in the future we can be part of the World Cup, because that would be extremely special for everyone and for every player."