Happy New Year to Xuan Son...

Xuan Son's past year was filled with many memorable moments, including an injury that prevented him from playing the entire second leg of the AFF Cup final. Because of this, Xuan Son's new year also holds many things worth mentioning, the most important of which will be a successful recovery so he can return to the game…

The place that "created" Xuan Son as it is today.

The past year marked a significant step forward in Xuan Son's career, both at the club and national team levels. As a key striker, he scored many important goals, helping Nam Dinh FC win the V-League title.

Xuan Son's warm family celebrated Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) in traditional Vietnamese ao dai attire.

The couple celebrated Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) in Nam Dinh.

Xuan Son's outstanding performance stems not only from his professional skills but also from his dedication to the game and his leadership abilities. He became the main driving force behind Nam Dinh FC's most successful season in many years. He was also the V-League's top scorer for two consecutive seasons. Notably, in the 2023-2024 season, the player born in 1997 won the V-League Player of the Year award, the "Best Goal of the Tournament" award, and the "Top Scorer" title with 31 goals. This is a historic number, breaking the record of 25 goals held by former striker Le Huynh Duc.

Xuan Son was outstanding while playing for Nam Dinh Club.

According to statistics from the football transfer website Transfermarkt , Xuan Son has played a total of 100 matches in the V-League, scoring 71 goals and providing 14 assists for clubs such as Nam Dinh, Da Nang , and Binh Dinh. He has also been the most efficient striker in the V-League for many years.

Nam Dinh was the first club Xuan Son played for when he came to Vietnam in 2020. After two transitional stints in Da Nang and Binh Dinh, he returned to his first club in 2023 and has remained there ever since. Xuan Son's love for Nam Dinh is confirmed when he shared that this year's Tet (Lunar New Year) was a happy one, as he was able to celebrate the new year in the land that "shaped" him into who he is today.

A major turning point: Obtaining Vietnamese citizenship.

After a period of waiting for approval, Xuan Son officially received Vietnamese citizenship in October 2024, and was subsequently included in the squad for the 2024 AFF Cup by coach Kim Sang-sik. However, due to FIFA regulations, he had to wait until after the first three matches before making his debut for the national team, and he did not disappoint the fans.

At the 2024 AFF Cup, Nguyen Xuan Son left an indelible mark on the history of Southeast Asian football. Despite playing only 5 matches, he impressively scored 7 goals and won both the "Best Player of the Tournament" and "Top Scorer" awards. This achievement not only demonstrated his exceptional talent but also his rapid integration and dedication to the Vietnamese national team.

Nguyen Xuan Son always shows a burning passion when wearing the Vietnamese national team jersey in every match.

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

In the past, Vietnamese football has seen the participation of several naturalized players such as Fabio dos Santos (Phan Van Santos), Kesley Alves (Huynh Kesley), Samson Kayode (Hoang Vu Samson, who played for Buriram United in 2018), Gaston Melo (Do Merlo),... However, they never had the opportunity to wear the Vietnamese national team jersey to compete in official international tournaments. Currently, only Nguyen Xuan Son has overcome all obstacles to become a key player in the attack, making a significant contribution to helping the Vietnamese national team conquer the regional peak.

His presence and success have shattered long-standing stereotypes about foreign-born players, opening a new chapter for the future utilization of this resource. Xuan Son not only brings high professional quality but also demonstrates a deep love for Vietnam, evidenced by simple actions such as participating in everyday activities with his family, a passion for Vietnamese food, and pride in singing the national anthem.

Despite playing only 5 matches, Xuan Son scored 7 goals in the 2024 AFF Cup.

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

Xuan Son's success has motivated the Vietnamese national team to consider and recruit other naturalized players such as Jason Quang Vinh, Hendrio Araujo, etc.

After the glory comes the biggest challenge of a career.

The Vietnamese team's victory that day should have been a joyous occasion, but Xuan Son's serious injury left a haunting silence in the hearts of fans. When he collapsed on the field, the entire stadium fell silent, millions of hearts tightened with worry. It wasn't just Xuan Son's physical pain, but also the pain of football fans across the country, witnessing a key player of the national team facing the biggest challenge of his career.

The moment Xuan Son collapsed onto the field, clutching her face in pain, was also the moment the hearts of the fans ached.

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

Son's initial diagnosis of injury was a simple fracture, but after detailed examination, doctors discovered a much more complex condition: a tibial shaft fracture with a large, wedge-shaped fragment 7 cm long in the posterior wall, along with the risk of further fragmentation if not handled properly. This was not only a technical challenge but also a test of the surgical team's skill and experience, as they had to ensure the bone was securely fixed while avoiding further damage to healthy structures and slowing down the physiological recovery process.

Intramedullary nailing surgery in this case was highly challenging. The choice between opening the fracture to realign the detached fragment or closing the intramedullary nail required careful consideration, as each option carried its own risks. Furthermore, Xuan Son's large size and physical condition necessitated meticulous precision in every step. Each surgical procedure was carefully calculated and simulated using advanced software to ensure stability and the best possible recovery for the player.

After surgery, Xuan Son's recovery journey will last at least 6 months, divided into four stages with specific goals: pain control, basic functional rehabilitation, improving strength and range of motion, and finally, achieving high-level fitness. While surgery is only 10% of the return process, the remaining 90% depends on Son's determination, combined with the rehabilitation team and coaching staff. A professional player can take an average of 9 months to return to the pitch, and this also depends heavily on how the body responds to the recovery stages.

From a player who always shone on the field, Xuan Son now faces a completely different battle, one without the fervent cheers, only resilience and the effort to overcome adversity. This challenge will not be easy, but with his never-give-up spirit, fans believe he will return stronger, to continue conquering new heights with the Vietnamese national team.

He has received maximum support from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), Nam Dinh Club, his family, fans, businesses, sponsors, and Vinmec General Hospital – where he is being treated. The certificates of merit and awards, both material and spiritual, will also be a great motivation for him and his family to have confidence in their recovery journey ahead.

This year's Tet holiday is truly special.

After three weeks of treatment at Vinmec Hospital ( Hanoi ), Xuan Son returned home to reunite with his family. He received a warm welcome from his fans in Nam Dinh.

"Nam Dinh has always been a place I cherish deeply. After living here for three years, I clearly feel the special affection that the people of Nam Dinh have for me. That's why celebrating Tet in Nam Dinh is an unforgettable experience. I love everything about this place," Xuan Son shared with Thanh Nien Newspaper on the afternoon of January 25th, while preparing to celebrate the New Year with her family at her home in Nam Dinh.

Xuan Son received banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cake) from the Nam Dinh fan club.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

Xuan Son and his wife and children are celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year) in Nam Dinh this year.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

"This year marks my fifth Tet (Lunar New Year) in Vietnam, but it's especially meaningful because it's the first time I'm celebrating it as a true Vietnamese citizen. This means a great deal to me and my family," Xuan Son added emotionally.

This spring, as a Vietnamese citizen, Xuan Son is enjoying meaningful moments with his family and loved ones in Nam Dinh – which has become his second home.

Injuries interrupted Xuan Son's brilliant journey at the AFF Cup, but they couldn't extinguish the flame of determination within him. Winning the AFF Cup might be less complete without him being on the field to celebrate with the team, but he knows it's just the beginning of another exciting journey.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nam-moi-cua-xuan-son-185250128164623787.htm