Xuân Son and worrying signs

Despite still being a major figure in Vietnamese football, the performance of this naturalized forward is alarming as the 2025/26 V-League season nears its conclusion.

The statistics reflect the reality aboutXuân Soncurrently. Just 3 goals in 12 V-League matches this season, with only 2 strikes in the last 6 games, is an extremely low output compared to the image of a "goal machine."

Xuân Son once set a record of 31 goals in the 2023/24 season. That campaign brought Nam Định the championship and turnedSoninto the league's record holder.

From the position of an unstoppable assassin, Xuân Son is now experiencing his most difficult season since first setting foot in Vietnam in 2020.

Coach Vũ Hồng Việthonestly admitted that his student still suffers from many physical and form issues following a serious injury.

This is clearly shown in his recent performances. Xuân Son no longer maintains his best match sharpness; his bursts lack smoothness, his decision-making has declined, and especially his instinct inside the box has dropped significantly.

Opponents now find it easier to read the 1997-born striker. When his physical condition is not at its best, Xuân Son no longer exerts immense pressure through strong holds or powerful sprints. His slightly heavier frame makes his handling moves lose the explosiveness that was his trademark.

Notably, this decline came right after a period when it seemed Xuân Son had recovered. At the end of March, he burst onto the scene for the Vietnam national team with a brace against Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Earlier, he also impressed at the ASEAN Club Championship. At that time, many believed the psychological block was removed and Son would quickly regain his former self.

Nam Định FC continues to struggle both in regional competitions and the V-League race. During that run, the southern team's attack clearly lacked the explosiveness from their number one striker. A Nam Định without Xuân Son in his best form is obviously a much weaker side.

However, it is too early to conclude thatXuân Sonwill find it hard to return to the top. A striker who has scored 72 goals in the V-League cannot lose his scoring instinct in just a few months. The issue lies in his physical condition, mentality, and match feel after a long battle with injury.

Yet the 2026 ASEAN Cup is approaching fast, and time is running out. If he wants to remain the top choice for Vietnam's frontline, Xuân Son needs a strong push. The National Cup in June could be that opportunity, as Nam Định faces Công an TP.HCM in the semifinal.

An explosive performance or a trophy can change everything. For class players like Xuân Son, sometimes they just need one moment to awaken their killer instinct.

Vietnamese fans still have every right to believe in that. But clearly, the current signals are ringing alarm bells. If Xuân Son does not rediscover himself soon, not only Nam Định but also the Vietnam national team will face a huge void in the near future.