Hoang Duc once considered retiring, not daring to dream of the Golden Ball

"Whether Tuan Hai or I won, we both deserve it," midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc said about the 2023 Golden Ball award. The player from Hai Duong was named in the category honoring the best male player of 2023 in Vietnamese football at the awards ceremony held on the evening of February 19 in Hanoi.

- This is the second time Hoang Duc won the Golden Ball. What is different from the first time?

- My feelings are still the same. I am very happy and proud of myself for trying so hard in the difficult year of 2023. I want to thank my teammates, the coaches, the fans at the club and the national team.

The 2023 Men's Golden Ball is a noble title that Tuan Hai and I both deserve to win. This is a stepping stone for us to try harder. This title helps me continue my journey of improving my expertise and contributing to the club and the national team.

I think whoever wins the Ballon d'Or in 2023 will be deserving. We all put in a lot of effort and effort to bring results to the team.

I think of the fans first, we have a responsibility to contribute and bring joy to them. It is of course an honor for all players to compete, win achievements and be recognized for their expertise.

- After Pham Thanh Luong in 2011, no one else but Hoang Duc won 2 Golden Balls before the age of 26.

- To be honest, when I first started my career, I didn't think about the Golden Ball. When I was a kid, I just wanted to become a professional player, I never set a goal of winning the most prestigious individual title in Vietnamese football.

I just go out and play football and become a player. I just hope to earn money to take care of my family and myself. I can't think of anything further.

- The Golden Ball at the age of 26 also marks the 10-year milestone of Hoang Duc's playing career. Looking back at half of your football career, what do you remember besides the successes?

- There were some really difficult times, especially when I was 15. So many things happened at that time, that was the turning point for me to change myself. Even now, I still think back to continue to try harder, to improve myself.

It was a sad story. I thought I couldn’t develop anymore, I had to quit professional football. The teachers told me the same thing. But, there was still someone who gave me another 6 months to confirm whether I could stay. During that time, I thought a lot.

I talked to my parents. I told my family that I should stop. Then my mother brought up the old story. She told me to remember that when I asked to go to practice, I said no. My mother did not agree to let me pursue football because she knew this profession was very hard. If I pursued football, I had to accept everything that could happen to me in the future.

During that time, my mother only said one more sentence about why I chose it before but didn't follow through, and gave up halfway. That sentence motivated me, I realized that I had to try harder and practice more.

The next turning point was when Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong took charge of the Viettel U17 team. He confided and discussed with me a lot, always encouraged me and hoped that I would not give up. I learned many things that I still lacked. At the age of 17, I met my teacher so that I can still play football now.

- From a young player who was not the best in his generation to becoming a top star of Vietnamese football, what message does Hoang Duc want to send to his younger colleagues?

- I'm still young, so I only give advice to the kids. Love football more, practice more and believe in yourself. One day, those who don't think about the Golden Ball will get it. Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for this.

Like many other teammates in the team, The Cong Viettel is a military unit. I entered this environment and was trained. After training, I often watched videos of world stars and followed them. The teachers took care of how I ate, slept, and practiced.

I only had one role model from childhood to adulthood, Lionel Messi. Since I knew football, I liked Messi.

- Hoang Duc has a full collection of domestic titles. Is the goal of playing abroad still in your plans? At the age of 26, has your thinking about playing abroad changed, especially when other excellent teammates have tried and failed?

- I still want to try my hand in a foreign environment, I want to discover myself, my abilities and play in a higher environment. I may fail but I accept this to continue learning. If I have the chance, I will go abroad to compete.

I feel that those who came before me are really brave. I admire their choice, they tried their hand in a highly professional environment. Even though they did not succeed and returned home, they helped me learn many lessons. Those who come after me will know what to do and prepare for the future.

- In the immediate future, fans really want to see Hoang Duc return to the Vietnam national team.

- I spoke very clearly with coach Troussier. All the problems have been resolved. I want to accompany him for the upcoming task of 2 matches against the Indonesian team. We will meet this March.

Actually, I read a lot of articles about me and Mr. Troussier. We had some misunderstandings at first, but now we talk a lot and have found common ground. I will come back stronger.

- Thank you Hoang Duc for this conversation.