Striker Nguyen Xuan Son is receiving a lot of attention after joining the Vietnam national team to prepare for the AFF Cup (new name ASEAN Cup) 2024. Here, he was warmly welcomed by his new teammates. Xuan Son said he could not hide his happiness at becoming a part of the Vietnam national team.
"Playing for a national team is the dream and desire of any professional player. I am now a Vietnamese player. I was in Laos, with the best players, the best form of Vietnamese football. I was trained by a good coach. Everything was great.
Last night (December 5), I had a very interesting debut in the Vietnam national team. That moment happened more unexpectedly than I had imagined. Although I was surprised when I was called, I did not feel lonely in the Vietnam national team. Because everyone, from teammates to coaches, supported and helped me wholeheartedly, right from the first day I became a Vietnamese player. I feel like I am enjoying these truly beautiful days in my life," Xuan Son shared his feelings when he was called up to the Vietnam national team.
Regarding his ability to adapt to the national team, Xuan Son said: "I have never been on the Vietnamese national team before. But I have played football for 5 years in the V.League. I know many Vietnamese players. Many of them are my teammates in the teams I played for in the V.League. We talked to each other and exchanged many things. One of them is my personal goals and aspirations when joining the Vietnamese national team. I will try to adapt to each training session and each match of the Vietnamese national team. I hope to be able to contribute to the "Golden Star Warriors" at the AFF Cup 2024", Xuan Son added.
When joining the Vietnam national team, Xuan Son will compete for a position with Tien Linh. However, Son said that he does not focus on competing with Tien Linh but only wants to contribute to the team regardless of his position.
"Regarding Tien Linh, I believe that the competition between me and him is positive. In the current system, I understand that I will support Tien Linh. He wants to play center forward. As for me, any role in the Vietnam team is an honor. I want to contribute my efforts, support my teammates, and help the Vietnam team conquer goals.
Tien Linh is a skilled player, a top striker. I think the coach will have a way to use me and Tien Linh appropriately. The Vietnamese team's system may use me, or Tien Linh, or both. It's okay. I respect coach Kim Sang-sik's decision," Xuan Son emphasized.
