Once ranked among the world's top 40, what is the current status of Vietnam's football prodigy?

Having been listed among the top 40 young talents globally, Phan Thanh Hậu's career took a different path after more than a decade, leaving many regrets for Vietnamese football.

In 2014, Vietnamese football witnessed a rare international moment when the name Phan Thanh Hậu appeared on the list of the 40 most promising young talents in the world selected by The Guardian (UK). At 17 years old, the midfielder from the HAGL – Arsenal JMG academy became the only representative from Vietnam on this prestigious ranking, even rated higher than many players who later became stars such as Dele Alli and Ousmane Dembélé. At that time, Thanh Hậu was seen as a symbol of the new golden generation of Vietnamese football.

The Guardian described Thanh Hậu as the “heart of Vietnam's U19 midfield,” standing out with his delicate left-foot technique, precise passing, and tactical vision beyond his years. His impressive performance at the 2014 AFC U19 Championship, especially the historic 5-1 victory over Australia and the competitive match against Japan, brought his name beyond the regional level. Alongside Công Phượng and Xuân Trường, Thanh Hậu was expected to become a modern central midfielder capable of advancing to Europe in the future.

However, the career path of this “prodigy” did not unfold as expected. Making his debut for HAGL in the V.League in 2015, Thanh Hậu struggled to compete for a position due to physical limitations and challenges in duels. Although he represented youth national teams from U19, U20 (participating in the 2017 U20 World Cup) to U23 Vietnam and was known by the nickname “king of endurance,” he could not make a significant mark to secure a regular spot or rise to the senior national team level.

Since 2021, Thanh Hậu has been on a journey to rediscover himself by frequently changing clubs. He was loaned to TP.HCM but had limited playing time, then played for Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu and Phù Đổng FC in the First Division. In 2023, the midfielder born in 1997 signed with Quảng Nam FC, returning to the V.League and helping the team avoid relegation in the 2023/24 season. In the 2024/25 season, Thanh Hậu appeared in 20 matches, playing about 1,400 minutes and providing 3 assists, but still lacked the breakthrough to become a key player.

Last summer, Coach Nguyễn Anh Đức brought Thanh Hậu to Becamex TP.HCM as a replacement for Hải Huy. Wearing his new club's jersey, the 28-year-old midfielder has played 6 V.League matches but has yet to score. No longer the “prodigy” who attracted attention across Asia, Thanh Hậu now plays a tactical role: diligent, consistent, and supportive of the team's play rather than being a game-changer on the field.

Phan Thanh Hậu’s story reflects the harsh realities of Vietnamese football: enormous expectations placed on young players, fierce competition, and a development system not yet sustainable enough to nurture talent to the highest level. Nevertheless, this journey serves as a warning for the next generation like Trần Gia Bảo and Lê Đình Long Vũ – names once honored by The Guardian. With persistence and the right environment, today's “prodigies” may have a different path, avoiding the regrets experienced by Thanh Hậu.