Naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son, a key contributor to Vietnam’s victory at the 2024 ASEAN Championship, has finally put aside his crutches and started practicing walking after a month of bed rest following injury surgery.

On Friday, Xuan Son posted a video of his indoor walking practice, where he was able to put down his crutches and walk barefoot, taking each step carefully.

Although Xuan Son still struggles to stand straight and must hold onto the railing while walking, this marks significant progress in his recovery. 

Typically, players with broken legs need 1.5 to two months to put down their crutches and begin walking again.

Xuan Son suffered a leg injury during the second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Championship final between Vietnam and Thailand on January 5. 

He underwent surgery on January 6 upon returning to Vietnam and spent a month recovering in a hospital bed.

After spending the Lunar New Year holiday in the northern Vietnamese province of Nam Dinh with his family, Xuan Son returned to Hanoi to continue therapy under the supervision of doctors. 

If his recovery progresses well, he may be able to resume ball practice within six months.

Naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son practices walking. Photo: Nguyen Xuan Son

Born in Brazil in 1997, Xuan Son became a Vietnamese citizen in late 2024. 

He made five appearances during the 2024 ASEAN Championship, scoring seven goals and providing two assists. 

He won both the Top Goal Scorer and MVP titles, playing a crucial role in Vietnam’s victory, including a 5-3 aggregate win over Thailand in the two-legged final.

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