Nguyễn Công Phượng

Nguyễn Công Phượng (born 21 January 1995) is a Vietnamese professional footballer who plays as a forward or an attacking midfielder for J2 League club Yokohama and the Vietnam national team.

Công Phuợng is lauded as "Vietnamese Messi" by fans and the media due to his playing style and physique, Công Phượng is one of the most promising football talents in Vietnam. He is a product of HAGL – Arsenal JMG Academy and was promoted to Hoang Anh Gia Lai senior team in 2015. Công Phượng was voted in 2015 as the 'Best Young Player of the Year. He has played his trades in Belgium, South Korea and Japan.

Early life
Công Phượng was born on 21 January 1995 in Mỹ Sơn, Đô Lương District, Nghệ An Province. He is the fifth child out of 17 children of Nguyễn Công Bảy and Nguyễn Thị Hoa; his family was poor when he was growing up.

Công Phượng has been interested in football since his childhood. Around the age of 5, he started to play football using a ball made of straw with his 2-year-older brother Nguyễn Công Khoa, who later drowned in 2004 at the age of 9.

Early career
Công Phượng first started his proper football training at the age of 10 when he was introduced to the Đô Lương district sport center by a local football coach Trương Quang Vinh. In 2006, he played for the Đô Lương District youth team at Nghệ An province's football competition. Impressed Song Lam Nghe An's staff at the competition, Công Phượng was invited into Sông Lam Nghệ An youth team but after a month of trial, he wasn't accepted because he didn't meet the weight requirement. Công Phượng's weight at that time was only 25.4 kg, while the minimum requirement was 30 kg and 27 kg for special cases. In 2007, upon hearing the news about HAGL – Arsenal JMG Academy recruitment program, Công Phượng persuaded his parent to bring him to Pleiku, where HAGL – Arsenal JMG Academy based for the try-out. He was one of the only 14 candidates who was accepted in to the academy out of about 7 thousand candidates from all over the country in the first selection.

In June 2010, Công Phượng and Nguyễn Tuấn Anh were the only two players from HAGL– Arsenal JMG Academy that were invited to a 15 days overseas training program in Cambodia. It was a training program for top players of JMG Academy from all over the globe.

In November 2012, Công Phượng along with Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, Lương Xuân Trường, Trần Hữu Đông Triều were four of the players from the academy received the invitation to train with English Premier League side Arsenal under-17 team. In the letter, Arsenal's performance supervisor, Steve Morrow stated that manager Arsène Wenger was impressed with the academy's players when they beat Oxford United under-17 team in January 2013.

In winter 2014, HAGL – Arsenal JMG Academy team defeated Nepal U21 3–0 in the International U21 Thanh Niên Newspaper Cup final. A double by Công Phượng secured the crown for his team.

2015: First season
In 2015, Hoang Anh Gia Lai revolutionized their first team, the club released most of their players in the senior team, only a few players was kept to guide young player from the academy. Công Phượng was promoted to first team along with other academy's player from the first selection. Công Phượng was given number 44 shirt instead of number 10 which he always wore when play for academy team and national U–19 team.

Công Phượng made his V.League 1 debut on 4 January 2015 at the opening game of the season against Sanna Khanh Hoa. HAGL won this game 4–2 as Công Phượng scored a brace. Công Phượng scored another brace at the eighth round against Dong Thap. Công Phượng finished 2015 season with 6 goals in 25 appearances, he was club's leading goalscorer and had second most appearance. On 6 January 2016, Công Phượng won the 2015 young player of the year award, beating his club mate Nguyễn Tuấn Anh who won it the previous year and Ha Noi player Đỗ Duy Mạnh.

2017 season: Improvement
After one season in Japan, Công Phượng returned to HAGL to play in 2017 V.League. He scored 7 goals in that season.

2018 season: Outstanding individual performance
2018 was one of his best season for HAGL. Công Phượng scored 12 goals at league and 4 goals at domestic cup.

Although his club just finished 11th at the end of season, Phượng was still selected in V.League's Team of the season by his performances.

2021 season: Dream season
Công Phượng returned to the club after his loan contract with Ho Chi Minh City get expired, followed by the arrival of the new coach Kiatisak Senamuang.

Phượng and HAGL was on fire that season, they were top of the table after 12 rounds, but the season was cancelled due to Covid-19. He had 6 goals after 12 matches in that campaign.

2022 season: Last year at Pleiku
2022 was his last season at HAGL. On 19 April, Phượng got an assist in 1–1 draw against Sydney FC at 2022 AFC Champions League group stage. He just scored 5 goals in 24 matches, all of them were in the league.

Mito HollyHock (loan)
In 2016, Công Phượng has been loaned to Mito HollyHock for $100,000 in the J2 League. On 7 May 2016, Công Phượng made his debut for Mito HollyHock, coming on as a substitute in the 87-minute in a match against Giravanz Kitakyushu that ended 1–0.

Incheon United (loan)
On 13 February 2019, he was loaned to K League 1 team Incheon United on a loan deal until the end of 2019 season. He made the debut for the club in the 2–1 victory against Gyeongnam, came as a substitute in the extra time of the second half.

On 1 June 2019, after just half season of the loan contract, he was released by Incheon United, which followed his desire. After 14 rounds of 2019 K League 1, he only played 401 minutes among 8 games for the team, and didn't score any goal.

Sint-Truidense (loan)
On 30 June 2019, a Japanese newspaper named Sponichi confirmed that Công Phượng was going to join Sint-Truidense on loan for 1 season. He made his debut for Sint-Truiden, in the 0–6 defeat against Club Brugge on 2 August, coming on in the 70th minute. However, he was excluded permanently from the squad after this game. He was mainly used for the youth team, had played 5 games and scored 1 goal against Club Brugge U21 on 27 August 2019.

After the failure half-season at STVV, Công Phượng returnted to Vietnam and played for Ho Chi Minh City, the runner-up of 2019 V.League 1, on another loan contract.

Ho Chi Minh City
Công Phượng scored his first goal for the club in 2020 AFC Cup group stage match against Myanmar club Yangon United on 11 February 2020.

Công Phượng had the first time playing a final match at the club level, against Ha Noi at Vietnamese Super Cup. At the 20th minute, he surprised the audience by a long shot to bring an advantage to his club. But with a higher level of skills and experience, Ha Noi quickly controlled the match and scored 2 goals to win the match.

On 17 June, he scored a goal and assisted another in a 3–0 victory against Viettel. He did the same against Than Quang Ninh on 11 July, also a 3–0 victory.

On 26 September, Công Phượng impressively scored a brace in the 5–1 victory against Nam Dinh, but later he got toe injured during the game which made him be almost absent for the rest of 2020 season. He finally comeback in the club's last match of the season, against Becamex Bình Dương, coming as a substitute in 64th minute. In total, Công Phượng had 10 goals after 19 appearances during the loan spell at Red Battle Ship.

Yokohama
On 25 December 2022, Công Phượng was officially announced as a new signing of newly promoted J1 League side Yokohama. He made his debut for the club on 5 April 2023 when coming on as a substitute, a 2–3 loss against Nagoya Grampus in the J.League Cup.

On 24 April 2024, he made his first start for the in the starting lineup during the 2024 J.League Cup fixtures against Fagiano Okayama.

Youth
Công Phượng was first called up to Vietnam U-19 team in September 2013 to participate in 2013 AFF U-19 Youth Championship. The team made it into the final with unbeaten run of five wins but eventually lost out to host nation Indonesia U–19 in the penalty shoot-out (7–6). Công Phượng scored twice in this competition.

Công Phượng was the top goal scorer at the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship qualification held in October 2013. He scored 7 goals which include a brace against Australia U–19, the game ended with a shocking result of 5–1 win for U–19 Vietnam. His team finished at the top of the group with 9 points and qualified for the final tournament.

At the 2014 AFF U-19 Youth Championship in September 2014, Công Phượng scored a stunning solo goal against Australia U–19 right at the end of the game which help his team achieve a 1–0 victory. The goal was voted as goal of tournament; this goal helped to raise Công Phượng's popularity even more. Công Phượng scored another goal in the game against U–19 Japan. His team made it into the final and ended up as runner up after lost the game 0–1 to Japan U–19.

Công Phượng captained his team at 2014 AFC U-19 Championship held in October 2014. They were put in a tough group with other Asia powerhouses, Japan U–19, South Korea U–19, and China U–19. His team failed to make it through the group stage with 2 losses and 1 draw. This is Công Phượng's last tournament with the U–19 side.

In March 2015, Công Phượng represented Vietnam U-23 at 2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification. He scored 4 goals that helped the team to qualify for the final tournament in 2016.

Công Phượng was a part of Vietnam's squad that played at 2015 SEA Games. His team won the bronze medal, Công Phượng contributed 3 goals, one of which against Malaysia was voted as goal of the tournament.

Công Phượng had a good individual performance at 2017 SEA Games by scoring 4 goals, but his team was unfortunately eliminated in the group stage. He also missed the penalty in the crucial game against Thailand, which lost a good chance for his team to bounce back, when Vietnam was being led 0–2.

Công Phượng scored 4 goals at 2018 AFC U-23 Championship qualification and one goal at 2018 AFC U-23 Championship against Iraq. In this tournament, Công Phượng did a good job in his role as a "virtual striker" and helped Vietnam U-23 reach the final, which was a historic achievement of Vietnamese youth football in the continental level.

Công Phượng was in the Vietnam Olympic's squad participating in 2018 Asian Games, where his team successfully achieved the fourth place. Công Phượng played relatively well in the tournament by scoring 2 goals, but he also missed many good chances to score more goal. He especially missed 2 penalties in the opening game against Pakistan.

Senior
Công Phượng made his debut for the senior national team as the substitution on 77th min at 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) game against Iraq on 8 October 2015. 5 days later, he once again came from the substitution, but played the whole second-half in the match against Thailand.

2016 AFF Cup
He scored the first goal for the national team in the 3–2 victory of the friendly match against Indonesia on 8 November 2016.

In 2016 AFF Cup, Công Phượng played 4 matches but just started 1 match, against Cambodia. Vietnam ended the tournament in semi-finals, when they lost to Indonesia.

2018 AFF Cup
Công Phượng was an important player of Vietnam squad at 2018 AFF Cup when he scored 3 goals including two in group stage, against Laos, Malaysia and one in semi-final 2nd leg, against Philippines. In the finals, Vietnam defeated Malaysia to became champions.

2019 Asian Cup
Selected for the 2019 Asian Cup, Phượng scored 2 goals in the continental tournament. His first goal of the tournament in the first match against Iraq where he scored the second goal of Vietnam, although Vietnam were defeated 2–3. In the round of 16 on 20th January, Công Phượng had equalized against Jordan in the early second half, before Vietnam eliminated the Al-Nashama on penalty shoot-out; thus contributing to the very good course of the Golden Dragons, quarter finalists to everyone's surprise of the continental edition.

2019 King's Cup
In the final match of 2019 King's Cup, he missed a penalty shoot-out against Curacao, thus confirming the overall victory of the Caribbean team.

FIFA World Cup 2022 qualification
Công Phượng scored the third goal in 4–0 victory against Indonesia in the second qualifying round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

In the third qualifying round, he assisted Nguyễn Thanh Bình to lead against Japan, then the Japanese team equalized thanks to Maya Yoshida's goal. The game ended 1–1, which was a historical result of Vietnam against a giant of Asian football.

2020 AFF Cup
In the 2020 AFF Cup, Phượng scored 2 goals. Vietnam ended the tournament in the semi-finals after losing to Thailand, tied for 3rd place with Singapore.

Absent
Before 2022 AFF Cup, he asked coach Park Hang-seo's permission not to attend the tournament because of injury. Vietnam finished second at this tournament.

On 11 September 2023, under new head coach Philippe Troussier, Công Phượng scored one goal in a friendly match against Palestine, which Vietnam won 2–0. This was his first goal for the national team after almost 2 years.

Công Phượng was not called up for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup because he didn't have much playing time at Yokohama in 2023 season.

Style of play
In addition to Cong Phuong playing in the position of a second striker, he can also play well as a plug-in striker, winger, attacking midfielder and winger in a 3-4-3, 3-4-2-1 under coach Park Hang-seo.

Vietnam

 * Scores and results list Vietnam's goal tally first.

Personal life
Công Phượng is the cousin of Nguyễn Thái Quốc Cường, who is also a professional footballer and currently plays for V.League 2 side Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu.

Công Phượng officially got married on 6 June 2020.

Age fabrication accusation
The rumours that Công Phượng had fabricated his age to play in younger age football competition began to circulate soon after his team won the 2014 International U-21 Thanh Niên Newspaper Cup. It started with the newspaper Thể Thao 24h published on 8 November 2014, three different documents showing three different date of birth of Công Phượng and an interview with a former Hoàng Anh Gia Lai F.C. youth team's player Bùi Văn Phúc said that both him and Công Phượng had their birth certificate redone, in his case it changed 1994 to 1996 and Công Phượng from 1993 to 1995. Bùi Văn Phúc later denied the newspaper's claim but the newspaper affirmed they told the truth and have recording of the conversation that they were willing to show if necessary.

On 12 November, after two days working in Nghệ An Province, Vietnam Football Federation published Công Phượng's birth certificate that showed he was born on 21 January 1995. On 16 November 2014, VTV Chuyển Động 24h broadcast a program pointing out problems with the birth certificate, the program also published more documents to back up the claim that Công Phượng born in 1993 and asked Công Phượng to speak up. On 17 November, in an interview with Người Lao Động newspaper, Công Phượng made no comment when asked about the accusation he said that he doesn't have permission from the club to answer.

On 18 November, after investigating the matter, Đô Lương District's Justice Committee Division concluded that Công Phượng was born on 21 January 1995. Nghệ An Province's Justice Department reached the same conclusion on 5 December.

On 30 December, VTV was fined 15 million Vietnamese Dong and ordered to issue a public correction by the Ministry of Information and Communications for broadcasting wrongful information about Công Phượng's age, the newspaper Thể Thao 24h was also fined 10 million Vietnamese Dong and ordered to issue a public correction.

Honours
Vietnam
 * AFF Championship: 2018
 * VFF Cup: 2022

Vietnam U23
 * VFF Cup: 2018

Individual
 * Vietnamese Young Player of the Year: 2015
 * Vietnamese Most favorite player: 2017, 2018