Rafaelson Bezerra Fernandes scored 31 goals during the 2023–24 V.League 1 season, setting a new single-season scoring record in Vietnamese professional football. Known mononymously as Rafaelson and by his Vietnamese name, Nguyễn Xuân Son, the striker transitioned from his native Brazil to become a central figure in Vietnam’s national sports landscape after securing dual citizenship in 2024.
Early Career and International Transitions
Born in Pirapemas on 30 March 1997, Rafaelson developed his skills in the youth academies of Bahia and Vitória. He made his professional debut for Vitória in September 2015, appearing in the Série B championship. Following his tenure in Brazil, he sought opportunities abroad, joining the Japanese side Vegalta Sendai in 2018 and the Danish club Næstved in 2019. These initial international experiences provided limited playing time before he pivoted toward Vietnam.
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Take the IQ test →Establishing a Presence in Vietnam
Rafaelson first arrived in Vietnam in December 2019 to trial with Nam Định. He scored a decisive goal against Song Lam Nghe An in 2020 that secured the club's position in the league. After short stints with SHB Đà Nẵng and Topenland Bình Định, where he recorded his first V.League 1 hat-trick in 2022, he returned to Nam Định in August 2023. His performance in the 2023 season earned him the top scorer title with 16 goals.
Record-Breaking Dominance
The 2023–24 campaign marked a peak in his career. In May 2024, he scored five goals in a single match against Đông Á Thanh Hóa, equalling a long-standing league record. By the end of that season, he had tallied 31 goals, surpassing the 25-goal record previously held by Lê Huỳnh Đức. His efforts were instrumental in securing Nam Định's first national league title since 1985. He subsequently helped the club win their first Vietnamese Super Cup in August 2024.
National Representation and Recent Form
After fulfilling residency requirements, Rafaelson received his Vietnamese passport in 2024. FIFA subsequently authorized him to represent the Vietnam national team. He debuted during the 2024 ASEAN Championship, where he scored a brace against Myanmar and ultimately finished as the tournament's top scorer. Following an injury, he resumed competitive play in late 2025, notably scoring a hat-trick against Shan United in the ASEAN Club Championship.
Fast facts
- Born: 30 March 1997, Pirapemas, Brazil
- Citizenship: Brazil and Vietnam
- Professional Debut: 5 September 2015
- 2023–24 V.League 1 Goals: 31
- Club: Thép Xanh Nam Định
- Vietnamese Name: Nguyễn Xuân Son
Questions readers ask
What record did Rafaelson break in the 2023–24 season?
He broke the record for most goals scored by a single player in a single V.League 1 season, scoring 31 goals.
When did Rafaelson begin playing for the Vietnam national team?
After receiving his citizenship in 2024, he was authorized by FIFA to represent Vietnam and made his debut in the 2024 ASEAN Championship.
