Midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc has admitted that financial considerations played a part in his decision to join Ninh Binh, as he prepares to leave The Cong Viettel ahead of the 2024-2025 season.
– How do you feel on your last day at The Cong before transferring to Ninh Binh?
- This morning, I packed up my things at the club. It was quite emotional and I already miss my teammates. I’ve been here since I was a kid and never thought I’d have to say goodbye like this. It’s truly a major change in my life.
While packing up my training gear, I felt a strong wave of nostalgia. These are clothes I’ve worn daily for so many years. Moving to another club and wearing new gear will take some time to get used to. I’ve packed away my old gear neatly and will keep them as mementos.
I’ll also miss my room at the training center, where I’ve lived since I was promoted to the first team in 2017. It’s room 208, the only one without a room number plaque in the building. Every little thing in that room holds a memory for me.
– Why did you decide to leave after so many years?
- For me, The Cong Viettel remains special, but it’s time for a change. Firstly, we couldn’t reach an agreement on a contract extension. Secondly, I want to explore a new environment to continue growing as a player. I’ve given this decision a lot of thought.
My contract with The Cong was actually supposed to run until January 2025, but we mutually agreed to part ways early. This benefits both sides. The club is already preparing for a future without me, and I’ll have more time to adapt to my new environment.
– What about moving from the V-League to the lower First Division?
- I’ve seen people online questioning why I would move to a team in the First Division. For me, that doesn’t matter too much. In Japan and South Korea, there are top players who drop down to lower leagues. More importantly, Ninh Binh has clear goals and promising plans. They want me to help them earn promotion. It might only take one season, and then I could be back in the V-League, not stuck in the First Division for long.
Recently, Ninh Binh has invested heavily, bringing in quality players from the V-League. The team’s aim is clear: they want to win promotion. I’m excited about helping them achieve that goal.
– How much did financial incentives play a role in your decision?
- Like anyone in any profession, finances are important. You need money to support your family, take care of your parents, and even help out relatives. If we, as players, don’t consider financial stability while we’re still playing well, it will be tough later on. An athlete’s career is short.
There are criticisms that I’m moving for money, but I hope people understand. If anyone were in my shoes, it would be hard to turn down the offer. Everyone wants a better life for themselves and their family.
– As the reigning Golden Ball winner and a key player for the national team, how do you view the team’s recent struggles?
- Some think that players like me have lost motivation because we’ve already achieved success and financial stability. That’s not true. Playing for the national team is an obligation, and every time we wear the national jersey, we feel fired up. Everyone wants to win when they step onto the pitch, but it doesn’t always work out that way.
Ups and downs are part of football, and any job for that matter. Nothing goes smoothly all the time. I hope the team can quickly overcome the current difficulties and perform well at the 2024 AFF Cup to bring joy to the fans.
– Who do you think will be Vietnam’s toughest opponent at the 2024 AFF Cup?
- Definitely Indonesia. Recently, they’ve naturalized several quality players from the Netherlands, Spain, and Belgium. They’ve transformed into a much stronger team, as shown by their performance in the third round of World Cup 2026 qualifiers. They managed to draw with Saudi Arabia and Australia and only lost to Bahrain in the ninth minute of stoppage time. They will be a tough opponent for Vietnam at the AFF Cup.
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