Duc Chien and the lesson in conduct when leaving The Cong Viettel.

In recent days, Vietnamese football public opinion has focused on the cryptic social media posts of central defender Nguyen Duc Chien. Although he quickly removed them, the message about "favoritism" and "betrayal" from this player has ignited a debate about ethics and conduct in the professional football environment.

Conflict between individual rights and collective obligations

The incident stemmed from Duc Chien's decision to leave The Cong Viettel and join Ninh Binh. The central defender expressed resentment at being asked by his club to cease all activities despite having only two months left on his contract. To secure his early release, he had to pay 3 billion VND in compensation.

However, The Cong Viettel responded strongly. The military team revealed that Duc Chien was the one who proactively announced he would not renew his contract and requested not to play in the match against Hanoi FC, citing insufficient fitness, despite the team being severely short of personnel. This behavior, prioritizing personal future over the team's difficulties, was deemed unprofessional.

The transaction was fair from a legal standpoint.

According to the contract terms, The Cong Viettel has the right to retain Duc Chien until the final day (August 24, 2025). If this scenario occurs, according to the V.League 2025/26 domestic player registration regulations (the deadline is August 15), this central defender will certainly be sidelined for the entire first half of the new season.

Allowing the player to buy out his contract was a fair commercial agreement, giving him an early opportunity to play at his new club. However, Duc Chien's perception of this as "abandoning" rather than viewing it from a professional standpoint has significantly damaged his image in the eyes of football fans.

The contrast from the case of Truong Tien Anh

The perspective on Duc Chien's case becomes even more critical when compared to that of Truong Tien Anh. Tien Anh also left The Cong Viettel to join Ninh Binh with only four months left on his contract, but he chose a more civilized approach.

Through amicable negotiations and fair compensation, Tien Anh received an emotional tribute from his former team. The difference in how the two players parted ways at the same club is the clearest evidence for the question: Why, under the same circumstances, do they receive such completely opposite results?

In professional football, contracts are the legal basis, but the culture of conduct is the core value that shapes a star's career. Inappropriate statements not only tarnish a player's image but also reveal a sad aspect of their ethics, showing how players prioritize immediate gain over loyalty to the club that trained and supported them.