The hardships of a goalkeeper's career
Having been involved in football since he was 17-18 years old, it was not until 12 years later that Nguyen Dinh Trieu had his first time on the field as a professional goalkeeper.
As a teenager, Dinh Trieu and some of his friends aspired to be selected to join the famous Hanoi club.
"Coach Trieu Quang Ha arranged a 5v5 match. The second luck came to me when no one could play goalkeeper, which was the position I often chose in previous commune-level matches. Seeing that I had some potential, Coach Ha kept me and signed a youth training contract," Dinh Trieu recalled.
But that dream start did not mean a smooth career for Dinh Trieu. At the age of 23, he had to accept the reality that he had no chance of developing in top-level football.
He shared: "Although it was very difficult, I had to quit playing football. Knowing that my family was sad, I decided to go to Ba Ria - Vung Tau to re-study high school which I had previously left unfinished. At that time, I also worked as a security guard for an oil and gas company, earning about 6 million VND per month. The amount was not much, but I still knew how to save for myself. I chose the cheapest place to stay, only 1 million VND/month.
I also save on daily living and food. Thanks to that, after 3 years, I saved 30 million VND to study at university in Ho Chi Minh City, majoring in technology engineering, as advised by a close friend."
The time studying in Ho Chi Minh City also brought Dinh Trieu to a new turning point in his career. A manager who was passionate about amateur football let him stay for free. In return, Dinh Trieu went to school in the morning, helped him sell office lunch at noon, and played for the "amateur" team in the evening at stadiums in Ho Chi Minh City. Two years passed, until one day, Dinh Trieu was introduced to coach Nguyen Minh Phuong - who was looking for a goalkeeper for the Binh Phuoc club.
“Mr. Minh Phuong’s suggestion really made me think. I talked to a friend who also had a broken career in football at the same time. He told me that if I had the chance, I should challenge myself. Then I decided to return to being a goalkeeper.
I hid it from my sister and mother because at that time, I was already in college and things were gradually stabilizing. I told myself to give myself a 2-year challenge. If during those 2 years, I could compete, even if it was only in the First Division, I would continue my career. But if I was not chosen, giving up football once again would happen," Dinh Trieu said.
Love mother, love wife and children
He played for more than a year in Binh Phuoc before moving to Hai Phong until now. The reason why this goalkeeper joined the Hai Phong team - despite the low salary - is to be close to his hometown Thai Binh. Dinh Trieu's mother is nearly 70 and he wants to take care of her more.
At the age of 8, Dinh Trieu lost his father. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Nhin - Trieu's mother worked hard to raise him and his sister. Witnessing his mother's hardships and understanding the family's situation in his hometown, Dinh Trieu was stronger and more courageous than his peers. "Trieu never cried. No matter how much pain or hurt he was, he was still strong and told his mother to rest assured and not to worry about him," Mrs. Nhin confided.
A few years ago, Dinh Trieu used all the money he saved from his part-time job and playing soccer to renovate a room in his house in the countryside. Despite the hardships and hardships of his job, he tried to be strong to be a support for his mother and sister.
Dinh Trieu also loves his wife and children very much. Every day, he calls home to see his wife and chats with his daughter who is only about 1 year old. After nearly 2 months of training with the Vietnamese National Team, he misses his family terribly.
“I think of my father, miss my mother, and look forward to my wife and children. I think of those who have supported me since I started playing football - those who have stood by me through difficulties and challenges over the past 15 years,” Dinh Trieu confided in the moment he became the champion of the 2024 ASEAN Cup.
Arriving home, Dinh Trieu hugged his mother and lit incense for his father. He whispered, "I did it, Mom and Dad." He hugged his wife and held his child in his arms.
After 12 years of wandering through many jobs, Dinh Trieu returned to football. This time, at the age of 33, he was more successful than his first choice when he was only 17.
Dinh Trieu believes: "For me, it is never too late. Importantly, when I try, everything will lead to success."
