Just after his comeback, Công Phượng brought bad news

Forward Nguyễn Công Phượng experienced a relapse of his injury right after making his comeback in Trường Tươi Đồng Nai's win against Khánh Hòa.

In the 8th round of the National First Division, Trường Tươi Đồng Nai secured a 3-1 win over Khánh Hòa. The most notable highlight of this match was the return of forward Nguyễn Công Phượng after 7 months of recovery, and he immediately made an impact with a skillful move that caused Trần Đình Bảo to score an own goal in the 20th minute, bringing his team back into the game.

However, that was the last significant moment on the forward's comeback day, as he had to leave the field at the start of the second half due to a recurring injury. This development indicates that Công Phượng has not yet reached his optimal physical condition and will likely need to continue resting for some time.

After the match, coach Nguyễn Việt Thắng expressed regret over Công Phượng's injury while praising his performance.

The 1981-born coach stated: "Phượng played very well today; if he hadn't suffered a relapse, he would have had more playing time. It's unfortunate that he encountered this issue right after his return. He hasn’t lost anything—from spatial awareness and first touch to finishing ability, all remain top-class. The biggest disappointment is the recurring injury; that’s a troubling point."

Regarding Công Phượng’s condition, he added: "We need to consult the doctor to examine and provide a more accurate diagnosis about this injury."

Công Phượng joined Trường Tươi Đồng Nai in October 2024 and quickly made a mark, playing a key role in helping the team qualify for the play-off round for promotion to the V-League 2025/26 season. Despite frequent interruptions due to injuries and limited full match appearances, the 1995-born forward scored 8 goals in just 7 official matches.

However, with this latest injury, it is highly likely that Công Phượng will have to stay off the pitch for a while and won’t be able to accompany Trường Tươi Đồng Nai. Furthermore, the striker from Nghệ An will probably miss the Vietnam National Team gathering in March, when coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad prepares for a crucial Asian Cup 2027 qualifying match against Malaysia.