Good question. The vector from the center of the sphere (0, 0, 0) to your current position (x, y, z) is always perpendicular [normal] to the surface of the sphere. (Assume a sphere centered at the origin.)

If you’re on the surface of a sphere at position (1, 0, 0), the normal vector points along (1, 0, 0).

If you’re on a larger sphere at position (1, 1, 1), your normal vector points along (1, 1, 1).

the normal vector is in the same direction as r,

What do you mean with r? The radius of the sphere?

On the other hand, I suppose that it has been determined experimentally that the electrostatic flux in a given surface matches with the dot product between the vector “field” and the vector “surface” which direction is perpendicular to that surface and its norm is the area surface. For me, that “coincidence” is fascinating.

(Excuse me for my English, I’m not a native speaker)