Brazilian naturalized player excited to join Vietnam national team for the first time

Nguyen Tai Loc was visibly thrilled on his first day with the Vietnam national team as they gear up for the 2026 ASEAN Cup.

On the morning of June 22, the Vietnam national team officially gathered in Hanoi, kicking off their preparations to defend the 2026 AFF Cup title. Alongside familiar faces, the appearance of naturalized newcomer Nguyen Tai Loc has drawn special attention from fans. For the Brazilian-born player, this is his first opportunity to represent the Vietnamese national team after many years playing in the V.League.

Nguyen Tai Loc, formerly known as Geovane Magno, has completed his naturalization procedures and is now officially eligible to wear the Vietnam national team jersey. Being called up by head coach Kim Sang-sik for this training camp is considered a memorable milestone in the career of the 1994-born player. He, along with Patrik Le Giang and Ngo Dang Khoa, are the three new faces in the squad preparing for the region's biggest tournament.

On his first day with the team, Nguyen Tai Loc couldn't conceal his excitement and joy at being part of a group of Vietnam's best players. Speaking to the media, he said: "I feel very happy. Some of my teammates are also called up this time. I will do my best to perform well during this camp." These short remarks showed the player's strong determination to prove himself at the national team level.

Nguyen Tai Loc's presence is expected to provide additional quality options for Vietnam's forward line. With years of experience in the V.League, solid technical skills, and the ability to create breakthroughs, he is anticipated to bring positive competition to head coach Kim Sang-sik's squad. This is also an ideal time for him to demonstrate his value in the national team jersey.

This training camp comes as Vietnam aims to successfully defend their AFF Cup title. With the inclusion of many new faces alongside experienced players, the team is considered to have considerable squad depth. Coach Kim Sang-sik will also have more personnel options to build an optimal framework for the upcoming tournament.

According to the plan, the Vietnam national team will train in Hanoi before departing for a training camp in South Korea from July 2 to 14. Afterward, the team will return home for a friendly match against Myanmar on July 18. For Nguyen Tai Loc in particular, the coming period will be a valuable opportunity to integrate, impress the coaching staff, and aim for his first appearance in the Vietnam national team jersey.