Vietnam forward Nguyễn Đình Bắc has battled rejection, injuries and setbacks to emerge as a key player in the defending champions’ bid for back-to-back Asean titles.
HANOI: Nguyễn Đình Bắc’s journey from being rejected by his hometown academy to becoming one of Vietnam’s key players has been one of resilience, with the 22-year-old now preparing for the second leg of the Asean Hyundai Cup 2026 final against Thailand.
Đình Bắc has scored five goals in seven appearances at the tournament, putting him level with teammate Nguyễn Xuân Son in the race for the Golden Boot. He has also contributed three assists, including a clever backheel that set up Nguyễn Hai Long for Vietnam’s opening goal in their 2-0 first-leg victory in Bangkok.
His path to the senior national team was far from straightforward. Đình Bắc was released by Sông Lam Nghệ An’s academy at the age of 14 because he was considered too small, forcing him to step away from the professional pathway for two years.
With encouragement from his parents, he eventually returned to football and joined the Quảng Nam FC academy in 2019.
His development accelerated after he broke into Quảng Nam’s senior side, earning recognition with Vietnam’s youth teams before being called up to the senior squad.
He scored his first international goal in a World Cup qualifier against the Philippines before announcing himself on the continental stage with a goal against four-time Asian champions Japan at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
However, Đình Bắc’s early success was followed by a difficult period that included injuries and personal challenges. He missed Vietnam’s successful 2024 Asean Championship campaign but worked his way back into the national team and has since become an important part of the squad’s latest title push.
Despite his five goals at this year’s tournament, Đình Bắc insists he still has plenty to improve. He believes his focus should remain on training, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, improving his diet and getting enough rest rather than dwelling on his achievements.
The forward is also looking beyond the Asean stage, with a potential move abroad among his ambitions. Currently playing for V.League 1 champions Công An Hà Nội FC, Đình Bắc said he would particularly welcome the opportunity to play in Japan, where he admires the country’s rapidly developing football environment.
For now, his immediate priority is helping Vietnam complete their title defence against Thailand in Hanoi on Wednesday. After overcoming rejection and setbacks to establish himself at international level, Đình Bắc has another opportunity to write an important chapter in his young career.
