Xuan Son - change to accept and be embraced by all of Vietnam

Viet Tri, December 21, 2024. A day deeply engraved in the memories of millions of hearts. Nearly 17,000 spectators in red shirts, united in a single heartbeat, packed Viet Tri Stadium. The spectators came not only to watch a match, but also to witness Nguyen Xuan Son debut for the national team, carrying on his shoulders the hope of the entire nation.

The script couldn’t have been more perfect with a 5-0 win over Myanmar, two goals and two assists for the rookie striker. It was a dream debut that Rafaelson, born in Pirapemas, Maranhao, Brazil, never dared to imagine. A story that could be extraordinary began to be written from here.

Dreams shattered with a dry crack

However, the fairy tale quickly turned to tragedy. Rafaelson, a national hero, was naturalized at the request of the fans, leading the Vietnamese team to the AFF Cup final. With a 2-1 advantage from the first leg against Thailand, and 7 goals in the tournament, the championship trophy seemed very close.

In the 32nd minute, with the score at 1-1, No. 12 sprinted down the right wing, beat the defender and sent a cross as hard as a thread. But as he planted his foot, there was a dry crack, his tibia and fibula shattered. The stadium fell silent. The hero fell before the eyes of millions of fans.

"I celebrated the championship in the hospital. I watched the match with my wife, just hoping it would end quickly so we could win the championship," he recalled, his voice still trembling with emotion.

Xuan Son is the hero of the Vietnamese team at AFF Cup 2024.

Vietnam won 3-2 and claimed their third Southeast Asian Cup title in history. But for many, the unforgettable image was the tears rolling down Rafaelson’s cheeks as he was carried on a stretcher to the hospital.

Eight months later, in Salvador, between physiotherapy sessions and light training, Rafaelson spoke to ESPN , recounting each step of his journey. "At first, I was a little nervous," he admitted. "I came to a country where football was still developing, where the facilities weren't very good, and where logistics were a bit difficult. At first, I thought I wouldn't stay long."

He came to Vietnam at the end of 2019, joining Nam Dinh Blue Steel. Only 23 years old, but Rafaelson's luggage is full of scars. Growing up from the Bahia and Vitoria training centers, he experienced the pain of being accused of age fraud, although he was later cleared.

Rafaelson went to Japan with Vegalta Sendai in search of discipline, but a metatarsal injury kept him out for the entire season. Rafaelson then discovered the snows of Denmark with Naestved, but was allergic to the harsh cold. Then Vietnam appeared as an adventure, and eventually became destiny.

"Whoever wants to, must adapt. It is not that Vietnam must adapt to us, but we must change to suit Vietnam." This quote summarizes the thinking that turned Rafaelson into Nguyen Xuan Son.

"This is a very united country. When I talk about patriotism, I talk about the bond between them. Whatever you do for Vietnam, for the Vietnamese people, you will be embraced by them," the Brazilian man soon understood this.

He learned Vietnamese, adapted to the cuisine , embraced the culture. Today, Xuan Son feels the weight of being more than just a player on the streets of Nam Dinh. "Sometimes I feel like I was born there," Xuan Son confessed.

Imprint on Vietnamese football field

Xuan Son is happy with his small family in Vietnam.

Xuan Son's success came immediately upon arriving in Vietnam, even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, even though it was only a short time in Nam Dinh. After that, he played forSHB Da Nang and Topenland Binh Dinh, before returning to Nam Dinh.

In total, Xuan Son reached 120 matches in Vietnam, scoring 90 goals and assisting 15 times. The numbers of a top-class striker, putting him among the greatest foreign players in the history of the tournament.

In recent years, the V.League has increasingly attracted foreign players, especially Brazilian players. According to the CIES Football Observatory, 80 players left Brazil for Vietnam in the period 2020-2025. There is no doubt that Xuan Son's success contributes to this trend, along with his attractive salary.

Today, the striker is more than just a player. He is the father of two boys born in Vietnam, aged 2 and 4. He has become a street celebrity in Nam Dinh, despite his shyness. In March, he was named "Athlete of the Year" at the Hanoi Opera House.

"The award is all I contribute to the country, to Vietnamese football. They always thank me when they meet me, saying 'Thank you for what you have done for my country'. That makes me very happy," he shared.

Back at training in Nam Dinh, Xuan Son knows that the biggest challenge is still ahead. That is to bring Vietnam to the World Cup for the first time in history. "Our biggest goal is to win a ticket to the 2030 World Cup," he affirmed. The contract that lasts until 2031 is proof that the dream is still intact, and there is enough time to make it a reality.

A dream that began in the small countryside of Maranhao, Brazil, now crosses the ocean, and between bowls of pho and bun cha, Xuan Son still balances his roles as father, footballer and national icon.

"The Vietnamese people welcomed me. I am very happy here, and Vietnam will always be in my heart. I love Vietnam very much," he said. And the Vietnamese people, with their own story of resilience, love Nguyen Xuan Son too.

Source: https://znews.vn/xuan-son-thay-doi-de-don-nhan-va-duoc-ca-viet-nam-om-lay-post1582654.html