Whose fault is Công Phượng's slow development?

(Baonghean.vn) - Appearing on the field for only 61 minutes in the match between the Vietnam national team and the Afghanistan national team, Cong Phuong did not leave any special impression on football experts and fans in the country.

However, in response to reporters' questions about the lackluster performance of the player nicknamed "Vietnamese Messi," Coach Park Hang Seo stated:

“Cong Phuong is an important player for the Vietnamese national team. He is a player I respect. I don't think Phuong played poorly in this match. I reiterate, he is a capable player with skills and technique. Perhaps it's because I'm new here and don't yet understand this player's mentality, his thoughts and feelings. I want Cong Phuong to be a pillar of the Vietnamese national team in the future.”

The statements from the South Korean strategist didn't surprise many, despite Cong Phuong's poor performance. All four recent Vietnam national team coaches have tried to defend and support the 1995-born star against criticism from fans.

This is perfectly normal, because Cong Phuong is considered one of the most talented players in Vietnamese football at the moment. Every coach pays special attention to the striker currently playing for HAGL FC.

Cong Phuong disappointed in the Vietnam vs. Afghanistan match (0-0). Photo: Internet

Unfortunately, what Cong Phuong has achieved hasn't lived up to expectations. Match after match, tournament after tournament, the "Vietnamese Messi" continues to bring only bitter disappointment. It feels like the player from Nghe An hasn't yet escaped the "prodigy" label that the media has given him.

Aside from his constantly changing hairstyles and beards, Cong Phuong hasn't shown any maturity in his running, dribbling, or finishing. Could it be that the "Vietnamese Messi" is withering away under pressure?

Witnessing Cong Phuong's lackluster performances over the past period, many of his die-hard fans have spoken out, blaming the Vietnamese media and fans for having too high expectations of a player in his early twenties.

That's not entirely wrong, because in football there are many players who become famous early, but are unable to develop further, leading to the stagnation of their talent, like Robinho (Brazil), Freddy Adu (USA)... It's true that the expectations of the media and fans contribute to "killing" their careers.

Chairman Duc is largely to blame for Cong Phuong's slow development. Photo: Internet

However, the main reason still lies within each individual player. Pele rose to fame at the 1958 World Cup at the age of 17 and went straight to the throne of "king of football"; Messi caused a sensation in his twenties and has now become one of the greatest players in world football...

In Vietnam, players like Phan Thanh Binh and Le Cong Vinh also rose to fame not too late; their potential wasn't stifled. These examples exemplify the efforts to overcome the weight of expectations. Why hasn't Cong Phuong been able to do the same?

There's a saying, "First blame yourself, then blame others." Having become a public figure, Cong Phuong must accept and distinguish between criticism and expectations. If he fails to do so, the one who suffers the most is none other than himself.

Ultimately, the media and fans are not to blame. Frankly speaking, the person responsible for Cong Phuong's "slow development" is none other than club owner Doan Nguyen Duc and his associates. Who was the one who devised the plan to promote the "Vietnamese Messi"? Wasn't it Doan Nguyen Duc himself?!

Thanh Hung