Xuan Son returns to the Vietnam national team, ready to play Laos on November 18th.
Nguyen Xuan Son has been recalled to the Vietnam national team by coach Kim Sang Sik after undergoing surgery for his injury at the 2024 AFF Cup; he will return to action from November 10th and may play against Laos on November 18th.
“Proud and happy to be back in this jersey. Forever a love.” Nguyen Xuan Son's short message perfectly encapsulates 10 months of waiting. The 1997-born striker has been recalled to the Vietnam national team by coach Kim Sang Sik, preparing for the match against Laos on November 18th, with the training camp starting on November 10th.
Returning after surgery and a 10-month absence.
Xuan Son had to undergo surgery after suffering a serious injury in the second leg of the 2024 AFF Cup final against Thailand in January. Since then, the naturalized player from Nam Dinh has been completely out of action to focus on recovery. During that time, he has repeatedly expressed his longing for the football field, especially for the matches with the "Golden Star Warriors".
The recovery process was carried out steadily and according to schedule. As a result, he was able to return on schedule. Being named in the Vietnamese national team's training camp is not only a medical milestone – it's also a psychological boost for a striker who has just recovered from a long-term injury.
The training camp on November 10th and the opportunity before the match against Laos on November 18th.
At the upcoming training camp, Xuan Son will get reacquainted with the intensity of national team training, the feeling of playing in matches, and the pace of scoring goals. According to the plan, the Vietnamese national team is preparing for the match against Laos on November 18th. If everything goes smoothly, coach Kim Sang Sik may give the 27-year-old striker (born in 1997) a chance to play.
This is a pivotal period for a returning player: stabilizing their physical condition, connecting seamlessly with teammates, and being ready for real action. For Xuan Son, the mere feeling of his boots touching the grass in the national team jersey is a positive sign.
The long-awaited moment and the reaction from the dressing room.
Xuan Son's return had been anticipated, but the moment the official roster appeared still surprised and delighted his teammates and fans. Under his post, the players and many supporters left congratulatory messages – short but warm messages for a sustained comeback.
For the national team, having an additional attacking option at this time is good news for the training phase. For Xuan Son personally, it's an opportunity to rebuild his foundation after a 10-month wait: from the gym and training ground to the competition for a starting position.
The significance of the call-up.
Coach Kim Sang Sik's call carries a double meaning: acknowledging the player's recovery efforts and opening up personnel options for the upcoming match. On a personal level, being included in the national team squad shows that Xuan Son is on the right track after his surgery and is ready to regain his rhythm in matches.
From now until November 18th, every training session is a mini-test. The final outcome – whether he plays or not – will depend on many factors, both technical and physical. But the feeling of being back, wearing the national team jersey, and hearing the call of the game is already a reward for his perseverance.
"Proud and happy..." – short words, but enough to conclude the recovery period and open the first steps of a new journey.