Beyond his love for football, naturalized Brazilian-born player Nguyen Xuan Son (Rafaelson Bezerra Fernandes) has also embraced Vietnamese cuisine, particularly a winter favorite: chè sắn (cassava sweet soup).

Nguyen Xuan Son, a standout player in the 2024 ASEAN Cup, has drawn attention not only for his performances on the field but also for his appreciation of Vietnamese food. His wife, Marcele Seippel, shares this enthusiasm, and the couple often orders dishes from a small online kitchen in Nam Dinh.

According to Thao Huyen, owner of the online kitchen, the couple has been regular customers for over a year. Xuan Son’s favorite dishes include bún chả (grilled pork with rice noodles), braised fish with pork belly, and bánh xèo (savory Vietnamese pancakes), while his wife particularly enjoys bánh bò (honeycomb cake) and chè sắn.

During winter, chè sắn has been a recurring choice for the couple. Xuan Son was so impressed by its rich, comforting flavor that he sent Huyen photos of the dish and complimented it enthusiastically. His wife, Marcele, even commented on social media, calling it "the best dish I’ve ever had in Vietnam."

A shared love for Vietnamese street food

The couple's love for Vietnamese cuisine extends beyond home deliveries. They have previously been spotted enjoying street food like fried banana cakes in Nam Dinh, delighting fans with their genuine appreciation of local flavors.

Their friendly and down-to-earth nature has left a lasting impression on Huyen, who describes them as kind, open, and considerate.

When Xuan Son’s family is together in Nam Dinh, Marcele often invites Huyen and her children over to share meals. "I take these opportunities to introduce them to more of Vietnam’s rich culinary culture," Huyen shared.

Despite missing the chance to cheer for Xuan Son in the ASEAN Cup final in Viet Tri, Huyen expressed unwavering support for the 27-year-old forward and the Vietnamese national team. "We trust in Xuan Son and the whole team to bring home victory," she said.