From tearing through Dortmund's net to leading Vietnam's U17 team: Who is Nguyen Luc?

Having made his mark with a brace against Dortmund's youth team, Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc is gradually being recognized as a promising talent in Vietnamese football, thanks to his remarkable journey in the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 Championship.

Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc is emerging as the most standout figure of Vietnam's U17 team in the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 Championship. With four crucial goals, this attacking midfielder played a significant role in guiding the "Golden Star Young Warriors" to the final. At 17 years old, he impresses not only with his skills but also with his composed playing style.

Nguyen Luc's journey is not a story of sudden explosion. From club-level youth tournaments to international competitions, the player born in 2009 has steadily established his reputation. Notably, his performances against strong opponents earned him full trust from the coaching staff. And precisely in this year's tournament, Nguyen Luc's role as the "leader" has truly become evident.

The first memorable milestone came in 2023, when Nguyen Luc, along with Hanoi U16, participated in the Hooray Cup friendly tournament in China. In the match for 5th place against Dortmund U16, he scored a brace despite his team losing 2-3. This performance helped the young midfielder catch the eye of coach Cristiano Roland, who closely monitored the development of Hanoi's young players.

A year later, despite being one of the two youngest players in the team, Nguyen Luc was still registered to participate in the Asian U17 Finals. At the tournament held in Saudi Arabia, he played fully in all three group stage matches. Although Vietnam U17 drew 1-1 against Australia, Japan, and UAE, thus missing the World Cup ticket, Nguyen Luc personally received much praise for his resilient fighting spirit.

Not stopping there, half a year ago, Nguyen Luc continued to shine at the 2025 National U17 Finals. He was honored as the tournament's best player, contributing greatly to helping Hanoi U17 successfully defend their championship title. This achievement further solidified his position as a strategic element in the current Vietnam U17 squad.

At the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 Championship, Nguyen Luc plays the role of a "connector" in the 4-1-4-1 formation, linking the defense line with the midfield. He is also the team's primary free-kick shooter. In the 10-0 victory over Timor-Leste U17, the number 10 midfielder made a strong impression with a hat-trick, including a "rainbow-curving" free-kick in the 5th minute that completely surprised the opponent.

Not only shining against weaker opponents, Nguyen Luc also knows how to make his mark at decisive moments. In the semifinal match against Australia U17, he was the one who finished a sophisticated free-kick combination to secure a 2-1 victory. This goal not only demonstrated his positioning ability but also revealed a rare composure in a young player.

Outside the pitch, Nguyen Luc attracts attention when sharing about the role models he follows: “My biggest idol in Vietnamese football is Nguyen Hoang Duc. I greatly admire his calmness, technique, and football intelligence. On the international level, I deeply admire players like Kevin De Bruyne. His ability to control the game and his precise passes are things I always study and learn from.”

Another interesting detail is his habit of praying before each match. Nguyen Luc shares: “I am not superstitious, but I believe in positive habits that help me prepare mentally well. Before each match, I always spend a few quiet minutes praying, hoping for the match to proceed smoothly and for both the team and myself to perform at our best. It helps me calm down, maintain focus, and be ready to give my all on the field.”

With great aspirations, the young midfielder also does not hide his ambitions for the future: “My biggest goal is to become a true professional football player, continuously developing, and someday wear the national team jersey, playing for top clubs. I want to make my family proud, repay the affection of fans, and inspire young players who share the same passion for football as me.”

With impressive form and increasingly refined competitive courage, Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc is not only the greatest hope for Vietnam U17 in the final against Malaysia U17 but also represents a new generation full of aspirations. The journey ahead still holds many challenges, but what the midfielder born in 2009 has shown indicates he is fully capable of becoming the "conductor" leading Vietnamese youth football to conquer greater milestones.