From the top to the abyss
Graduated from Viettel Sports Center, Nguyen Trong Dai soon showed his talent at the youth level.
He was once considered one of the most promising talents in Vietnamese football. With an ideal physique, good technique and smart tactical thinking, Dai has been a pillar of the national youth teams.
At the 2016 U19 Asian Cup, Trong Dai was the captain of the Vietnam U19 team that won a ticket to the FIFA U20 World Cup 2017.
At that time, the 1997 generation still had Quang Hai, Hoang Duc... but Trong Dai still showed superiority over his teammates.
Trong Dai also participated in the U23 Vietnam squad to create the miracle of the runner-up position at the U23 Asian Championship in Changzhou (China) in 2018. Although he was not given many opportunities to play, the name Trong Dai at that time was expected to be a pillar in the Vietnam national team in the near future.
All expectations quickly collapsed when Trong Dai could not hold back from the surrounding heat. The midfielder's name has gradually faded in Vietnamese football.
Information about Trong Dai was mentioned when clubs terminated contracts, did not meet professional requirements, violated discipline in the home team...
Trong Dai was also suspected of bankruptcy and having to sell his phone SIM card because he needed money to cover his personal expenses after becoming unemployed.
Just like that, a talent of Vietnamese football from the peak of his career fell into a abyss because he lost himself to problems behind the scenes.
Tomorrow starts from today
"Nguyen Trong Dai has changed a lot. He is much calmer, just focusing on training and competing. Comply with the team's living regulations.
I am also happy for Trong Dai", coach Hoang Nhat Nam of the Gia Dinh FC team participating in the 2025 National Second Division shared.
Trong Dai has decided to find his passion again in the second division team Gia Dinh FC. The place where he will work with his teammates to achieve the goal of promotion, to play in the First Division 2025-2026. Trong Dai was registered by Gia Dinh FC in the second leg of Group B of the 2025 National Second Division.
"Trong Dai was the one who took the initiative to ask me to join the team. He confided that he wanted to return to his passion for football, and also hoped to be able to rebuild his life after the failures.
In the past, Trong Dai has integrated very well with his teammates. The team's coaching staff as well as the players also encouraged and supported Dai a lot in his activities, training and competition.
I also hope Dai will soon regain his best form to contribute to the team, and also help Dai open up his journey, coach Nhat Nam added.
Because he wanted his student to focus on professional issues, when asked to have a few words to share, coach Hoang Nhat Nam proactively and cleverly refused.
According to coach Hoang Nhat Nam, Trong Dai has an intelligent playing style, good strategic vision but needs to improve his physical strength and try harder to regain his best form soon.
Trong Dai could not help but feel sad when seeing his teammates of the same age who have been and are reaping success, being pillars in the national team, and having a stable life.
But I also hope that it will be an example, a motivation for Trong Dai to move forward, even though now, everything seems to have just begun for Trong Dai from the perfect zero.
Currently, Gia Dinh FC club is currently ranked 3rd in Group B, after Lam Dong and Van Hien University. In the final match of the group, if they defeat the opponent at the top of the group, Lam Dong, Gia Dinh FC, will win a ticket to play in the National First Division next season.
