Le Cong Vinh and the Mission of a Navigator

A navigator (or guide, pathfinder) is precisely the chosen one. In the domestic football scene, former national team captain and striker Le Cong Vinh is such a person.

Welcoming the former star from Nghe An in the lobby of the Dedication Awards Announcement Ceremony - Sports & Culture Newspaper (VNA) the 20th edition, in 2026, before the writer stood a middle-aged man, elegant and poised, in a black suit with matching leather shoes. Vinh did not look "middle-aged" like the image that appeared on social media a few months prior, when he attended the AFC B Coaching License course in 2025.

"I have a plan to go to Japan to continue studying for the coaching license (A License), after receiving support and recommendation from VFF. Probably early 2027, when they have a course there. VFF's Technical Director, instructor Koshida Takeshi, and PRO license instructor Ikeuchi Yutaka promised maximum support when I go to Japan, by contacting some clubs for me to intern during the 6-month study. And even Coach Calisto and his son Thiago wanted me to go to Portugal for further study," Le Cong Vinh shared with Sports & Culture.

According to the former Vietnamese national team striker, this is a serious plan. He wants to return to Japan once more, not only to witness firsthand how they run football, but to learn the essence from Asia's top football nation, with World Cup caliber.

"Funding is not an issue, I will pay out of my own pocket, including hiring an interpreter to accompany me. As long as there is a chance to go and learn. The experience from playing in Japan or Portugal is very important, but coaching studies are a different category. You study, then must apply it practically, then study and train continuously. The courses in Japan, as I understand, are long-term, not short-term and intensive like in Vietnam," still the words of Le Cong Vinh.

During his professional playing career, Cong Vinh went abroad twice, to Leixoes (Portugal, 2009) and Consadole Sapporo (Japan, 2013). To this day, Le Cong Vinh is still considered the most successful player compared to other names who have played overseas like Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh, Xuan Truong, Quang Hai, or Van Hau, even his senior Le Huynh Duc (Lifan Chongqing) before...

In 2003, at the Thanh Nien Newspaper U21 Finals in An Giang, Cong Vinh stepped into the spotlight with the Top Scorer title. The reward for that first prestigious title was a "Chinese-made Wave" scooter, and for many years after, Vinh couldn't get the paperwork done for it. "Cong Vinh and the Unregistered Chinese-made Wave Scooter", was precisely the headline of an article in Sports & Culture that the writer penned nearly 20 years ago. That scooter truly is a keepsake.

15 years of continuous top-level football, with many goals scored, individual and team titles, including 3 Vietnam Golden Balls (2004, 2006, and 2007), Cong Vinh decided to retire after the 2016 season with B.Binh Duong. The 2016 AFF Cup (now ASEAN Cup) was also this striker's final international tournament, in the national team jersey, where we lost in the semifinals to Indonesia. Cong Vinh transitioned to football management, taking the role of Acting Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City FC, starting from the 2017 season.

A progressive person who dares to venture and face challenges. Conversations with Le Cong Vinh always bring forth new, bold, yet very feasible ideas. Others might not like Le Cong Vinh due to controversies, but in the realm of football specifically, few can dislike him, given the legacy left by a top Vietnamese striker.

Le Cong Vinh did not have a good starting point, his skills were also ordinary, but with relentless effort, no retreat, with the blood of a warrior flowing in his veins..., he conquered the peak of his career. The mission of a navigator thus took shape. Before Cong Vinh, few players dared to venture abroad to play; after him, not many have succeeded, even to a relative degree.

Learning and practicing the trade in one's homeland, for a person with a reputation like Cong Vinh, to find a stable role and income is not difficult. But daring to go abroad, study overseas, and seek opportunities is another matter. It can only be Le Cong Vinh, a life of daring ventures, a career of dedication, it's no exaggeration to say he is a role model!