Nguyen Xuan Son receives 600-million-VND SUV after ASEAN Cup 2026 top-scorer title: 'This is a well-deserved reward'

On the morning of September 7, at the headquarters of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), striker Nguyen Xuan Son officially received an electric SUV worth 600 million VND and 100 million VND in cash from the sponsor unit. The event took place just one day after he scored the decisive goal in stoppage time, helping Nam Dinh beat Hoang Anh Gia Lai 4-0 at home, thereby rising to the top of the V.League after round 1. "The car is a well-deserved reward for what Xuan Son contributed at the ASEAN Cup 2026," a VFF representative emphasized. The car key handover ceremony took place in an exciting atmosphere as hundreds of fans were present to congratulate and ask for the signature of the striker born in 2026. Nguyen Xuan Son did not hide his joy: "I am very happy and grateful to the fans and sponsors for giving me this favor. This title is not only mine, but the achievement of the entire Vietnamese national team." Few people expected that Xuan Son's impressive performance streak began at the 2026 ASEAN Cup late last year. The Brazilian-born striker made a strong mark by scoring 5 goals in just 8 matches for the national team, including a brace against Malaysia in the semi-final and an important goal that helped Vietnam successfully defend the regional championship title. He also shared the tournament's top scorer title with teammate Dinh Bac, a clear confirmation of his consistent goalscoring ability against Southeast Asian opponents. Head coach Kim Sang Sik did not hide his satisfaction when talking about his student at the ceremony: "Xuan Son is a top-class centre forward. He always knows how to shine at the most important moments." The Korean strategist's words become even more well-founded when looking back at the player's performances in the national team jersey. From the group stage to the final, Xuan Son constantly pressured opposing defenses with his intelligent positioning and calm finishing. His brace against Malaysia in the semi-final second leg was considered the turning point that took Vietnam to the final, while the stoppage-time header in the V.League match against Hoang Anh Gia Lai continued to prove the class of a centre forward who knows how to shine in decisive moments. According to Nam Dinh, Xuan Son's return to the club right after the national team fulfilled its international duty created positive energy for the whole team. The striker himself opened the scoring in the match against Hoang Anh Gia Lai with a sharp cut-and-shot move, before sealing the 4-0 victory with a header in the 90+2 minute. Xuan Son's brilliant form not only helped Nam Dinh secure three full points but also sent a strong message about the ambition to compete for the V.League championship this season. Notably, the 600 million VND car reward and 100 million VND in cash are personal gifts from the Federation and the sponsor for his performances in the national team, completely unrelated to the club's contract or transfer fees. This helps ease concerns that the Nam Dinh club could violate V.League financial regulations. Although the bonus amount is only equivalent to about 24,000 USD, it carries great spiritual value when publicly awarded right after the ASEAN Cup triumph. Beyond physical rewards, the car handover event also became a media highlight. Images of Xuan Son holding the championship trophy alongside the luxury electric SUV were widely shared on social media. Vietnamese fans praised the striker, saying he deserved such favor after his brilliant performances. Unlike common controversies in the transfer market, Xuan Son's story follows a positive direction when everyone recognizes him as a "hero" of Vietnamese football. From a tactical perspective, what Xuan Son showed in the match against Hoang Anh Gia Lai was not much different from how he plays for the national team. He operates as a true number nine, often closes down the penalty area, is ready to combine with teammates, and constantly moves to stretch the opponent's defensive line. The stoppage-time goal is the clearest evidence of Xuan Son's aerial ability, a weapon that has helped him score many important goals for both the national team and the club. Although he does not have many flashy touches, the efficiency in each finishing move is what makes Nam Dinh's coaching staff most satisfied. Coach Kim Sang Sik, who is credited with creating an ideal working environment for Xuan Son to shine, further shared: "At the national team level, he no longer needs to prove anything. What I want to see is for him to maintain this form in the V.League to help Nam Dinh win titles." The Korean coach also appreciated the professionalism of this striker, who always completes training sessions well and is ready to support younger teammates. From a market perspective, this event did not cause any fluctuations in player value or wage structure. Xuan Son's contract with Nam Dinh is still in effect, and there are no release clauses or hidden agreements related to the car. Analysts believe that the top scorer title and impressive performance at ASEAN Cup 2026 could help the striker attract interest from larger clubs in the region, but no official offer has been made yet. Instead, receiving public recognition will give him more motivation to continue playing excellently for Nam Dinh. Looking at the whole context, the 4-0 win against Hoang Anh Gia Lai in V.League round 1 is of great importance to the ambitions of the Nam Dinh club. This was the first match after the international break, and getting three full points right at home makes the whole team much more confident. Besides Xuan Son's high form, the new signings have also integrated well and created healthy competition in the squad. However, experts also warn that the V.League is a long tournament, and after only the first round it is difficult to accurately assess the true strength of any team. Nguyen Xuan Son, who is of Brazilian origin but officially played for the Vietnamese national team from 2026, now has a great opportunity to assert his name in both domestic and international arenas. With his consecutive goals and titles, he is gradually becoming a new icon of Vietnamese football. Concluding the award ceremony, Xuan Son emphasized: "I don't want to stop here. The upcoming goal is to win the V.League with Nam Dinh and successfully defend the Southeast Asian championship with the Vietnamese team." Vietnamese football fans have every reason to hope this impressive display will continue throughout the season. With support from club leaders, trust from the coaching staff, and affection from fans, Nguyen Xuan Son is in the perfect position to shine. The 600 million VND SUV is not just a reward for the past, but also motivation for the 2026-born striker to aim for an even brighter future.