Đình Bắc: 'Comparing me to Quang Hải is inappropriate'

Đình Bắc humbly responds to comparisons with Quang Hải, while expressing his determination to use the success at the 2026 U23 Asian Cup as a springboard to prove himself in the V.League.

Many have likened Đình Bắc’s performance at the 2026 U23 Asian Cup final tournament to Nguyễn Quang Hải’s at the 2018 competition. Facing these comparisons, the U23 Vietnam forward remained modest.

In an interview with Znews, Đình Bắc stated: “Comparing me to Quang Hải is unfair. I have always held great respect for him. Hải is an ideal role model for me to learn from, and I have gained a lot by playing alongside talented players like him at Công An Hà Nội club,” Đình Bắc shared.

The 2004-born player also emphasized that he does not want to put the current U23 generation on the same level as the previous ones: “This U23 generation is the same. I can’t compare us to the older generations. Both we and the seniors share the common goal of bringing glory to our country,” Đình Bắc added.

With a total of 4 goals and 2 assists at the 2026 tournament, Đình Bắc set a new record for the most goal involvements by a Vietnamese player at a single U23 Asian Cup, surpassing Nguyễn Quang Hải’s 5 goal contributions in 2018.

Speaking about his expectations after success with U23 Vietnam, Đình Bắc believes the continental tournament can be a crucial boost for his club career, especially since he has yet to make a significant impact in the V.League: “When I first joined Công An Hà Nội club, I was injured for 8 months out of the year, so I didn’t get much playing time. But I never doubted myself and always worked hard on recovery and treatment,” the forward confessed.

“After the Asian tournament, I returned to my club and will continue to strive for opportunities to play, from the V.League to the AFC Champions League Two,” Đình Bắc affirmed.

He also noted that competition in the V.League is fierce, not only for himself but for the entire current U23 generation: “My teammates are the same. I think this U23 cohort is quite balanced, and everyone has to work very hard to earn playing time in the V.League, and beyond that, the national team,” Đình Bắc emphasized.