Where does Xuân Son stand on the value map of Southeast Asian football stars?

Just before the FIFA Days in March 2026, the Southeast Asian football transfer market has become lively again as the player valuation specialist website Transfermarkt released its latest rankings. These figures not only reflect individual worth but also reveal a comprehensive picture of the disparity in strength among national teams in the region.

Leading the list remains Jay Idzes, Indonesia's center-back, with a valuation reaching 10 million euros, a figure that stands out compared to the rest. Notably, all top seven positions belong to Indonesia's naturalized players, with values starting from 1.5 million euros.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese football features familiar names but remains in the lower tier of the rankings. Nguyễn Xuân Son is valued at 600,000 euros, while Jason Pendant reaches 500,000 euros.

A noteworthy new factor is Hendrio Araujo (Hoàng Hên), a player expected to bring a fresh breeze to the Vietnamese national team in the upcoming training camp. However, his current valuation is only around 325,000 euros.

Thai football continues to assert its position with outstanding individuals. Supachok Sarachat is currently valued at 700,000 euros, higher than Xuân Son. Meanwhile, Suphanat Mueanta is a special case as the only native player in the group valued at 1 million euros or more, amidst a "forest" of mixed and naturalized players.

These figures are not merely market values; they also reflect the development trends of Southeast Asian football. As national teams increasingly utilize foreign-origin player resources, competition in the region has become fiercer than ever.

For Vietnam specifically, the valuation gap indicates there is still much work to do to elevate player quality. However, this also presents an opportunity for names like Xuân Son or Hendrio Araujo to prove themselves, thereby gradually narrowing the gap with regional rivals.