Don't rush to compare Dinh Bac with Nguyen Xuan Son: There's a huge gap in terms of class.
While Nguyen Xuan Son exploded with 7 goals in 5 matches, young talent Dinh Bac is still struggling to find his form in the V.League 2026 while playing for CAHN.
The Vietnamese football landscape in early 2026 is witnessing two interesting contrasting colors in the attacking line. On one side is the resounding affirmation of Nguyen Xuan Son's goal-scoring prowess, while on the other are the hesitant and arduous steps of young talent Nguyen Dinh Bac in the demanding professional arena. Recent professional statistics have revealed a vast gap in effectiveness between these two highly anticipated strikers.
The astonishing rise of Nguyen Xuan Son
Nguyen Xuan Son, after a period of absence and returning at the end of 2025, immediately transformed every stadium into his own stage. His impressive performance of scoring 7 goals in just 5 matches for Nam Dinh FC, spanning the Southeast Asian Champions League, V.League, and National Cup, speaks volumes. Even more impressively, if his penalty kick against Thanh Hoa had been successful, his record would have been even better.
Notably, Xuan Son's value was further solidified when he shone with the opening goal against Laos in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, directly securing the victory for the Vietnamese national team. His composure, intelligent positioning, and diverse finishing ability have made the Nam Dinh striker a true "killer" that every defense fears.
Nguyen Dinh Bac's coming-of-age problem.
Conversely, young player Dinh Bac is going through a difficult period as he steps onto the big stage. His meager tally of just one goal and one assist in 18 appearances for CAHN FC this season is quite modest when compared to his more experienced teammates. However, this comparison is not intended to negate the talent of the young striker.
In fact, Dinh Bac is still a valuable "raw gem" among players of his age group. His brilliant performance with 4 goals and 2 assists in 6 matches at the 2026 U23 Asian Championship is the clearest evidence of that immense potential. The core issue that will make a difference now lies in his adaptability and composure on the field.
The gap between potential and true excellence.
The environment of top-level football, with its experienced defenders and intense pressure, is completely different from youth leagues. Dinh Bac hasn't been able to fully showcase his qualities when closely marked, something Xuan Son handled easily thanks to his extensive experience. To close this gap, Dinh Bac must patiently accumulate experience little by little.
Overall, the road ahead is long, and the current difficulties at the club are the most valuable practical lessons for Dinh Bac to improve himself. Cultivating a strong mentality and stability will be key to him becoming the perfect partner for Xuan Son in the Vietnamese national team's attack in the future.
