On January 5, 2025, in the second leg of the ASEAN Cup 2024 final against Thailand, Xuan Son broke his leg after dribbling and finishing. The injury closed the impressive tournament for the striker born in 1997. Although he only started from the last group stage match, he scored 7 goals in 5 matches, winning the Top Scorer and Player of the Year titles, making a great contribution to helping the Vietnamese team win the championship.
After surgery, Xuan Son went through more than 10 months of recovery, practicing again from basic movements before he could run, shoot and compete with high intensity.
In October 2025, Xuan Son returned to the field with a few minutes of play in the friendly match between Nam Dinh and PVF-CAND Youth. From this milestone, he gradually regained his fitness, regularly played in the V.League and was called up to the Vietnam National Team.
Xuan Son's return is a positive sign for both Nam Dinh and the national team. Before the injury, he was in the group of most effective goalscorers in the V.League, and also impressed the national team with his ability to sweep through, finish diversely and create pressure on the opponent's defense.
However, the return process is not entirely favorable. In the first matches after the injury, Xuan Son received many mixed opinions about his weight as well as his feeling for the ball. At times, his form did not meet expectations, but this striker still persistently practiced, gradually improving his physique and regaining his inherent sharpness.
2 years after leaving Thailand in pain, Xuan Son will once again play in the Land of the Golden Temple in the opening match of ASEAN Cup 2026, but with a completely different mindset.
Xuan Son's return journey is most clearly shown in the Vietnamese national team jersey in 2026.
Returning to the milestone of the Vietnamese team losing 0-4 to Malaysia in the first leg of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers (June 2025), when the team faced a lot of pressure, Xuan Son posted a status expressing his determination to return strongly in the second leg. That is not only a word of encouragement for fans but also a goal he set after many months of trying to regain his form.
In March 2026, Xuan Son turned his promise into reality. In the rematch against Malaysia, the naturalized striker scored a double, making a great contribution to helping the Vietnamese team win 3-1, thereby completing the task of winning a ticket to the Asian championship next year. Those two goals also marked the return of the striker who once caused many difficulties for Southeast Asian defenses at the ASEAN Cup 2024.
After the match against Malaysia, Xuan Son continued to maintain stable form in Nam Dinh jersey. When the Vietnamese national team entered the preparation phase for the ASEAN Cup 2026, he continued to be given opportunities by coach Kim Sang-sik in friendly matches.
In the general rehearsal against Myanmar before the tournament a few days ago, Xuan Son continued to score. This goal shows that the 29-year-old striker has fully recovered and is ready to become the spearhead in the attack of the Vietnamese team in the journey to defend the championship.
At ASEAN Cup 2026, coach Kim Sang-sik has many quality options in attack with Xuan Son, Hoang Hen, Tai Loc and young players such as Dinh Bac, Hai Long or Ngoc My. However, Xuan Son is still considered an important factor thanks to his experience, scoring ability and creating space for teammates.
The schedule also brings special coincidence. The opening match against Timor Leste takes place in Chonburi, Thailand - a place that evokes unhappy memories of Xuan Son 2 years ago. Although not the location where he was injured, returning to play in the land of the Golden Temple is a milestone confirming that he has overcome the most difficult period in his career.
If ASEAN Cup 2024 turns Xuan Son from a newcomer into a star of the Vietnamese national team, then ASEAN Cup 2026 opens up another journey. After more than 10 months of treatment, after doubts about form, this striker is ready for the next big goal.
