Phan Thanh Hậu, the U19 Vietnam prodigy once included in the global Top 40, at 28 has regained his place in the V.League, becoming a seasoned, diligent midfielder and an essential piece in the central midfield.
On the evening of October 14, The Guardian (UK) released the “Next Generation 2025” list – highlighting the top 60 most promising young talents worldwide. Trần Gia Bảo, a player from Hoàng Anh Gia Lai club, was the only representative from Southeast Asia on this list. However, before Gia Bảo, Vietnamese football had already seen a player reach the top 40 of this list.
In 2014, Vietnamese football proudly celebrated when young midfielder Phan Thanh Hậu, a product of the HAGL-Arsenal JMG academy, was honored by The Guardian (UK) as one of the 40 most promising talents globally. At just 17, Hậu was Vietnam’s sole representative on this prestigious list and was even rated higher than later stars like Dele Alli and Ousmane Dembélé.
During the 2014 AFC U19 Championship, Hậu impressed strongly with his intelligent play, skillful technique, and precise passing, contributing to emotionally charged matches for Vietnam’s U19 team against Australia and Japan. At that time, he was expected to become a modern central midfielder, with the potential to play in Europe.
However, Phan Thanh Hậu’s journey afterward became a story full of regrets. Although he debuted in the V.League with HAGL in 2015, his small stature and limited physicality made it difficult to secure a starting position. In the following years, Hậu frequently played for Vietnam’s youth teams such as U19, U20, and U23, earning the nickname “king of endurance,” but he couldn’t break through to become a regular member of the national team.
Since 2021, Hậu began a journey of moving around to find new opportunities. He played for TP.HCM, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu, then Phù Đổng FC before returning to the V.League with Quảng Nam FC. In the 2024/25 season, he appeared in 20 matches, played 1,400 minutes, and provided 3 assists, reflecting his quiet determination as a player born in 1997.
This summer, Thanh Hậu transferred to Becamex Bình Dương at the invitation of coach Nguyễn Anh Đức to replace Hải Huy. After the first 6 matches of the season, he has yet to score but is still regarded as a reliable tactical piece in the midfield. At 28, the former “prodigy” has become a hardworking, more experienced midfielder rather than a shining star.
Phan Thanh Hậu’s path reflects the harsh reality of Vietnamese football – where many young talents bloom early but struggle to sustain success. From the glory of being in the “Top 40 worldwide” to the challenging journey today, Hậu remains persistent in pursuing his passion, serving as a reminder that talent is only the beginning; resilience and perseverance determine who will succeed in the end.