Ninh Binh, 2 February 2026 – Midfielder Thai Son, who had just returned from Saudi Arabia after helping Vietnam national under-23 football team secure third place at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, endured a nightmare debut for Ninh Binh FC.
Thai Son was introduced in the second half by head coach Gerard Albadalejo during Ninh Binh’s clash with Hanoi Police FC on the evening of February 1. However, just over ten minutes after stepping onto the pitch, the midfielder was forced off with a knee injury.
Medical staff immediately rushed in to treat him, strapping and stabilizing his right knee on the sideline. After the match, Thai Son was unable to walk on his own and had to be carried off the field by a teammate, raising serious concerns about the severity of the injury.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Albadalejo offered a brief but worrying update.
“Thai Son’s injury does not look very positive. I hope he will be fine and can return to action,” the coach said.
If surgery is required, Thai Son could be sidelined for around nine months or even longer. That would almost certainly rule him out for the remainder of the V.League 1 2025/26 season and prevent him from joining upcoming Vietnam national team camps in 2026, including the ASEAN Cup scheduled for July.
This marks another major setback for Vietnam’s U23 generation. Thai Son’s case follows the long-term injury of teammate Nguyen Hieu Minh, meaning both players could miss the rest of the season and lose their opportunities to contribute to the national team in the near future.
The unfortunate debut came shortly after Thai Son made an emotional career move. Following nearly a decade with his hometown club Dong A Thanh Hoa FC, he parted ways with Thanh Hoa after returning from the U23 Asian Cup.
In a heartfelt farewell message, Thai Son reflected on his journey:
“It’s time for me to say goodbye to this place. Nearly 10 years with my hometown club was not just a football journey, but a precious part of my youth.
I sincerely thank the club’s leadership, coaching staff, and teammates who trusted and supported me through every training session and every match, through both ups and downs. Your guidance helped me not only on the pitch but also in life.
I also want to thank Thanh Hoa fans, who always gave their love, passion, and belief to the team and to me.
Thank you for the beautiful memories. I will always be proud to have been part of this club.”
For Thai Son, what should have been a fresh start has instead turned into a difficult test. Now, his focus shifts from competition to recovery, hoping to return stronger and continue the promising career that Vietnamese football still believes in.
Kim Tuyen
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