BEIJING, June 14 - Vietnam's national soccer team's midfield soul Nguyen Quang Hai's future remains a mystery after his contract expired at Hanoi FC, Vietnamese media outlet SOHA revealed. He had been seen as a possible candidate to join Ligue 1's Nantes, Japan's J-League's Kashima Antlers, and even Austria's Linz, but nothing has been finalized yet. The 97-year-old and his agent have always emphasized their desire to hone their skills in a more mature soccer environment.
Recently, former Hanoi FC player Nguyen Duc Vinh shared a photo with Nguyen Quang Hai in France on social media with the caption, "Still in the No. 19 jersey." This detail seems to suggest that Nguyen Quang Hai's path to France may point to France, but speculation continues about which team he will eventually join.
Nguyen Quang Hai, regarded as a rare talent in Vietnamese soccer, chose to study abroad for the same reason. He made his first official match appearance since leaving Hanoi FC in April 2022 when he stood firm as a debutant for the full 90 minutes in Vietnam's latest match against Afghanistan.
At the just-concluded 31st Southeast Asian Games, Vietnam's head coach Park Hang-soo had expected the star to join Vietnam's U23 team as an overage player, but Nguyen Quang Hai ultimately declined the offer in consideration of protecting his health. (EDITOR: Water and Earth)
