Nguyễn Công Phượng is a Vietnamese association football player who emerged from the HAGL – Arsenal JMG Academy to become a key attacking presence. He achieved recognition by winning the 2015 Best Young Player of the Year award. He is best known for competing professionally in several international leagues, including stints in Belgium, Japan, and South Korea, while maintaining a significant career with his home nation.
Nguyễn Công Phượng secured a victory for his team in the 2014 International U21 Thanh Niên Newspaper Cup final by scoring a decisive double. Born in 1995, he emerged from the HAGL – Arsenal JMG Academy to become a prominent attacking force in Vietnamese football, later competing in leagues across Belgium, Japan, South Korea, and his home nation.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Early Development and Academy Selection
Born in Mỹ Sơn, Đô Lương District, Nghệ An Province, Công Phượng began formal training at age 10 under local coach Trương Quang Vinh. Despite an initial rejection from the Sông Lam Nghệ An youth team due to a failure to meet minimum weight requirements, he secured a position at the HAGL – Arsenal JMG Academy in 2007. He was selected from a pool of approximately 7,000 candidates. His progress led to training opportunities abroad, including a stint with the Arsenal under-17 side in 2012.
Professional Rise with Hoàng Anh Gia Lai
Công Phượng made his V.League 1 debut in January 2015, scoring two goals against Sanna Khánh Hòa. That inaugural season saw him net six goals in 25 appearances, earning him the 2015 Best Young Player of the Year award. His performance peaked during the 2018 season with 12 league goals and a selection to the V.League Team of the Season. Following his return from loan in 2021, he helped lead HAGL to the top of the table before the season was cancelled.
International Club Assignments
His career includes multiple international loan spells. He joined J2 League side Mito HollyHock in 2016 for $100,000, making his debut in May. In 2019, he moved to K League 1 team Incheon United but departed after 14 rounds. A subsequent loan to the Belgian club Sint-Truiden saw limited first-team action, with his primary output occurring during appearances for the youth squad. He also played on loan for Hồ Chí Minh City, where he scored against Yangon United in the 2020 AFC Cup.
Fast facts
- Born: 21 January 1995, Đô Lương, Vietnam
- Academy: HAGL – Arsenal JMG Academy
- 2015 Award: Best Young Player of the Year
- 2018 Achievement: V.League Team of the Season
- Japanese club: Mito HollyHock
- South Korean club: Incheon United
- Belgian club: Sint-Truiden
- V.League club: Đồng Nai City
Questions readers ask
Which clubs has Nguyễn Công Phượng played for?
He has played for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai, Mito HollyHock, Incheon United, Sint-Truiden, Hồ Chí Minh City, and Đồng Nai City.
Why was he initially rejected by Sông Lam Nghệ An?
He did not meet the youth team's minimum weight requirement of 30 kg; he weighed 25.4 kg at the time.
