Nguyen Xuan Son, originally from Brazil, has been vocal about his desire to contribute to the Vietnamese national team since acquiring Vietnamese citizenship.

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) facilitated the necessary procedures, including documentation submissions to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and FIFA, to clear the player for competition.

As of December 20, 2024, the Nam Dinh Green Steel FC striker is eligible to play for the national football squad.

While Xuan Son is eligible, his inclusion in the squad depends on the decision of head coach Kim Sang Sik. If selected, he could debut in Vietnam’s final group-stage match against Myanmar on December 21, 2024.

Xuan Son’s impressive goal-scoring record has made him one of the most valuable forwards in the V-League. The 1997-born striker was the league’s top scorer for the 2023/24 season, setting a record with 31 goals. He is currently leading the charts again this season with seven goals in nine matches, tied with Tien Linh of Binh Duong FC.

Nam Dinh head coach Vu Hong Viet praised Xuan Son ahead of their AFC Champions League Two match against Lee Man, stating: “Xuan Son offers diverse tactical options for our attack. He is a key player for us, and being shortlisted for the national team is a tremendous motivation. His commitment and passion for representing Vietnam are undeniable.”

Vietnam has been drawn into Group B at the AFF Cup 2024 alongside Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar. The schedule includes:

December 9: Opening match against Laos (away) at 8 PM.
December 15: Home match against Indonesia at Viet Tri Stadium at 8 PM.
December 18: Clash with the Philippines.
December 21: Final group-stage match against Myanmar.

Nguyen Xuan Son’s inclusion could significantly bolster Vietnam’s attacking options as they aim for glory in the regional tournament.

Thien Binh