Vietnam faces stiff competition from Madagascar for Bundesliga 2 star

Hanoi 8 April 2026 – Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) finds itself in a high-stakes race to secure the services of German-born defender Kenneth Schmidt, as the Madagascar Football Federation (FMF) has officially expressed interest in recruiting the Fortuna Düsseldorf star.

Schmidt, born in 2002, is a highly-rated center-back currently competing in Bundesliga 2. Standing at 1.87m, the 23-year-old possesses a modern defensive profile—combining physical dominance with tactical discipline developed in the prestigious SC Freiburg youth academy.

Schmidt is eligible for three different nations: Germany (his birthplace), Vietnam (his mother’s heritage), and Madagascar.While Schmidt has represented Germany at various youth levels—including the U21s—the path to the senior “Die Mannschaft” remains incredibly difficult. This has opened the door for his heritage nations to step in.

For Vietnam, Schmidt represents a “dream” addition to the defensive line, offering a level of European top-flight experience that is rare among Southeast Asian squads.However, Madagascar has now moved aggressively to bring him into their national team setup. This situation draws uncomfortable parallels to the case of Ibrahim Maza, the Hertha Berlin talent who was once a target for Vietnam but eventually chose to represent Algeria. The loss of Maza remains a sore point for Vietnamese supporters, who fear that bureaucratic delays or a lack of proactive engagement could see another elite talent slip away.

Currently, Schmidt is a regular starter for Fortuna Düsseldorf, having scored his first goal for the club earlier this season. While V.League giants like Nam Dinh FC have reportedly monitored his progress, the ultimate decision rests with the player.

For the VFF, the message from the fans is clear: they must act swiftly to assist with the necessary citizenship procedures. If Vietnam fails to move before Madagascar secures his commitment, one of the most promising defenders of Vietnamese descent may never wear the Golden Star jersey.

VSN/RPT