Hot football news afternoon 25/6: Is Xuan Son no longer the center of the Vietnam National Team?

The Vietnam national team's recent shifts, the 2026 World Cup, and the transfer market depict a dynamic football picture full of significant points.

Is Xuan Son no longer the focal point?

The Vietnam national team is entering a crucial preparation phase for the 2026 ASEAN Championship with many new signals under coach Kim Sang-sik. Although still maintaining a defense-based philosophy, the South Korean strategist is reportedly building a more diverse attacking system instead of relying too heavily on Nguyen Xuan Son as before.

The 3-5-2 formation and defensive solidity are likely to remain, but the attack promises to gain new "weapons." The arrival of naturalized players like Nguyen Tai Loc (Geovane) and Do Hoang Hen, along with the return of many quality factors, gives the Vietnam national team more options for creating breakthroughs. Instead of funneling the ball to a single spearhead, Coach Kim Sang-sik aims to create multiple dangerous targets in the attack, making it harder for opponents to predict. This is seen as an important preparatory step to help the "Golden Star Warriors" move towards a more balanced, flexible, and formidable image in the future.

Malaysia appoints a "new but old" coach

The Malaysia national team has officially identified its new captain when the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) appointed coach Tan Cheng Hoe as interim head coach replacing Peter Cklamovski. This decision was made thanks to the vast experience and deep understanding of Malaysian football possessed by the 58-year-old strategist.

Tan Cheng Hoe was part of the coaching staff that helped Malaysia win the 2010 AFF Cup and the 2009 SEA Games gold medal. As head coach, he also led the "Malayan Tigers" to the 2018 AFF Cup final, finishing as runners-up. Beyond the national team, Tan Cheng Hoe achieved numerous successes with Kedah before working in Thailand and returning to FAM as Technical Director in 2025. The return of this experienced manager is expected to help Malaysia maintain its competitiveness in Southeast Asia and aim for bigger goals on the continental stage.

Klopp tips his hat to Messi and Ronaldo

Although both are over 40 years old, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to be the center of attention at the 2026 World Cup. Recently, Coach Jurgen Klopp has given special praise to the two football legends after their impressive performances on American soil.

The German strategist was particularly impressed with Ronaldo as the Portuguese superstar responded to all criticism with a brace against Uzbekistan, simultaneously becoming the first player to score in six different World Cups. Meanwhile, Klopp believes Messi's special quality lies in his ability to read the game and make a difference in decisive moments. He emphasized that both Messi and Ronaldo maintaining their class and winning desire at over 40 years old is extraordinary. According to Klopp, these two superstars have defined world football for nearly two decades and continue to write new chapters in their legendary careers.

South Korea national team faces criticism after defeat to South Africa

The South Korean national team is facing a strong wave of criticism after a 0-1 loss to South Africa in the final group stage match of the 2026 World Cup, thereby losing control of their own destiny in the race for a knockout spot. The only goal conceded to Thapelo Maseko in the 63rd minute forced the "Taegeuk Warriors" to wait for results from other groups to keep hope of advancing.

The lack of ideas in attack disappointed fans, especially as South Korea appeared stuck in creating pressure on the opponent. Watching the match, legendary Park Ji-sung openly questioned the team's tactical approach, suggesting that South Korea was too cautious and lacked a clear implementation plan. He also pointed out that Lee Kang-in was isolated and the combinations were ineffective. These criticisms increase the pressure on coach Hong Myung-bo as South Korea still has not secured their spot in the next round.

Cucurella "causes a storm" with statement about Enzo Fernandez

Marc Cucurella is causing waves in the European transfer market by publicly expressing his desire to reunite with Enzo Fernandez at Real Madrid. This statement came right after the Spanish defender left Chelsea to join the Royal club, sparking much debate among fans.

In an interview at the 2026 World Cup, Cucurella praised Enzo and admitted they have a close relationship from their time together at Chelsea. He stated he hopes one day to play alongside the Argentine midfielder at the Bernabeu, calling it a "very special" scenario. However, Enzo Fernandez still has a long-term contract with Chelsea and is one of the club's most expensive signings in history, making any potential deal difficult. Cucurella's statement therefore only adds to the speculation, as Real Madrid continues to closely monitor its midfield situation.

Roundup of notable football news

A series of notable developments spanning from club level to national teams and the transfer market. Vo Hoang Minh Khoa decided to continue with Becamex HCMC amid a turbulent period, affirming his priority for team responsibility over leaving for attractive offers. At the national team level, Coach Kim Sang-sik conducted a major overhaul by eliminating 13 veterans, paving the way for young, naturalized, and overseas Vietnamese players towards the 2026 ASEAN Championship.

At the 2026 World Cup, Canada, despite losing to Switzerland, confidently advanced to the knockout stage, while South Korea disappointed as they lost 1-0 to South Africa and had to rely on a lifeline. Meanwhile, the European transfer market remains vibrant with a series of major deals involving Tottenham, MU, Chelsea, Arsenal, and AC Milan, promising more upheaval in the summer transfer window.