Cao Pendant Quang Vinh: 'I want to attend the World Cup with the Vietnamese team'

In an interview with Thanh Nien Newspaper, defender Cao Pendant Quang Vinh confided about his adventurous days with French football in the Sochaux shirt, the reason for his decision to return home to play for the Hanoi Police Club (CAHN Club) and his ambitious plans if coach Kim Sang-sik gives him the opportunity to try his hand at the Vietnam national team.

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh is flourishing in the CAHN club shirt. He scored his first goal in the V-League in the previous round, when he kicked the ball into the net of Quang Nam club, helping his team win 3-0 at Tam Ky stadium. Quang Vinh has played 28 out of 29 matches in 3 arenas this season, only missing 1 match due to suspension. As long as he is healthy and eligible to play, Quang Vinh will be trusted by coach Alexandre Polking.

In an interview with Thanh Nien Newspaper on May 7, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh shared his thoughts and feelings about Vietnamese football, his love for his second homeland, as well as his desire to contribute to the national team if selected by coach Kim Sang-sik.

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh answers interview with Thanh Nien Newspaper reporter

PHOTO: MINH QUAN

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh: 'My mother taught me to draw the Vietnamese flag'

- What chance brought you to a football career?

I started my football career at a young age, exactly when I was 5 years old. My father was the one who introduced me to the path of wandering with the round ball. I was born in Sarcelle (a small town in the north of Paris, France), where there were many children who dreamed of becoming footballers. My father loved football. He always urged me to become a footballer. He helped me train, he gave me the passion.

- To you, what kind of person is your father?

My father was born in Martinique (an island in the eastern Caribbean, an overseas territory of France). I no longer live with him, but we still talk on the phone. He has always supported me and I believe that we still have a good relationship, with a strong bond. I respect him very much. He has had a great influence on me.

- What about your mother? When he took the Vietnamese name Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, he took his mother's last name Cao. His mother is always with Quang Vinh at important events, such as when he debuted at CAHN Club.

My memories of my mother are of everyday life, not just football. I still remember when I was first called up to the French youth team (France U16), my mother was very proud. She was also very happy when she saw me sign my first professional contract as a player. Until now, I still remember clearly the times when I went on holidays with my family, or enjoyed every moment of my life.

I understand Vietnamese culture thanks to my mother. She cooked many traditional Vietnamese dishes, then told me to “eat, eat”, or said “good night” before I went to sleep. Those Vietnamese words have been imprinted in my memory since childhood. When I was little, my mother taught me to draw the Vietnamese flag in red and yellow, with a bright star in the center. She also told me what Tet is, and how important it is to Vietnamese people. Vietnamese people value family culture very much, as do the French. We gather together and want to see each other every day.

Even though my parents are not together, it's okay. Dad is still here, Mom is still here. My brother and I know that we live in a happy family.

Jason Quang Vinh with his mother, Ms. Cao Ngoc Chau, at the launch of CAHN Club

PHOTO: HONG NAM

- Having played in France for most of your career, what do you think about Sochaux, Ligue 2 and French football?

I was fortunate to be nurtured in ideal environments, especially my old team Sochaux. I think there are some differences between French football and Vietnamese football. Here, I don’t see many youth football academies with young players. In France, there are many training schools with a series of good coaches to hone players.

I played for many years in France, in Ligue 2. This league has many strong teams and very good players. French football is very fierce, fast and strong, the intensity of the game is extremely high. However, the players are also very technical. They run and run continuously throughout the game to put pressure.

In 2020, before deciding to join the New York Red Bulls (a team in the US Major League Soccer - MLS), I received an offer from Troyes Club (playing in Ligue 2). However, I still wanted to go to the US. Perhaps, MLS is underrated.

The American football scene is very good, there are many strong teams here. The players are fast, strong and technical. Their only weakness is that their tactics are not very good. MLS football requires more strength than in France, which helps me challenge myself more. I adapted well, but unfortunately I played for New York Red Bulls during the pandemic (2020 - 2022).

'I don't compare myself to Ousmane Dembele'

- Who do you still keep in touch with in the French youth team?

I still play with some of my old teammates. Like at the 2017 U.20 World Cup, I also followed the U.20 France team and watched the match between them and the U.20 Vietnam team, because many of my brothers played for the U.20 France team such as Marcus Thuram, Jonathan Ikone, Olivier Boscagli, Issa Diop... Also in my youth academy in Sochaux at that time were Ibrahima Konate, a central defender who is playing for Liverpool, or Kevin Pham Ba, who is playing for Nam Dinh Club. They are all very talented. There are many good players who have been nurtured.

At Sochaux, we are like a family, always loving and protecting each other. The older players always protect the younger players. We are a united unit.

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh in CAHN club shirt

PHOTO: CAHN CLUB

I was the captain of the French U16 team. I am a person who likes to connect, listen and communicate with my teammates, so I like the captain role.

I still talk to Marcus Thuram and Ibrahima Konate. I also know Ousmane Dembele. I didn't watch Inter Milan vs Barcelona last night (Champions League semi-final second leg), because it was late in Vietnam. But I know Thuram and Inter are in the final. Today, Dembele and Paris Saint-Germain will play Arsenal in the semi-final second leg. If Dembele and Thuram meet in the final, it will be an interesting match. I will cheer for both of them.

- They are the same age, but Dembele is successful at Paris Saint-Germain, while Quang Vinh has left European football. Do you have any thoughts about that?

I don't compare myself to Dembele. He does what he does. I do what I do. I don't regret any of my choices. I don't regret coming to Vietnam. With every trip, I always want to experience new things.

- So what about your brother Kevin Pham Ba who was at Sochaux academy years ago, were you surprised when Kevin chose to return to Vietnam to compete?

Surprised, no!

When Kevin Pham Ba was negotiating with Nam Dinh FC, he texted me to ask about V-League and Vietnamese football. I texted Kevin that the Vietnamese football environment was very good and he could come. This is Kevin's first time leaving France. He has to adapt to the new environment. I am happy to see Kevin scored his first goal for Nam Dinh FC. Kevin is adapting well.

I want to be able to wear the Vietnamese national team shirt with Kevin Pham Ba. We always talk about that prospect.

Big ambition with Vietnam team

- Why did you choose to return to Vietnam to compete?

Simply because I want to explore Vietnamese culture. I know that my blood is half Vietnamese. I know that I also have a “Vietnamese quality”, which was formed in me when I lived with my mother in France.

I want to explore and experience everything in Vietnam, from culture, cuisine to people. That's why I chose to come back.

- After nearly 1 year playing for CAHN Club, how do you rate your performance?

I think I played well. I played regularly and performed well. However, I can play better, become more complete in both defense and attack. I can improve to become the best version of myself in the CAHN club shirt. I can play many positions, from left-back, left-center back to other roles. However, the position I am most confident and favorite is still left-back.

My strengths are speed, technique and good ball control. I also believe I read the game well.

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh has comprehensive and diverse skills.

PHOTO: MINH TU

- How did you integrate into the new team and culture?

Before returning to Vietnam, I had to go through a period of adapting to a new football environment. That was when I chose to go to the US to play for the New York Red Bulls. I met new teammates and encountered a new culture. I studied English for 6 months to be able to communicate and survive in the American football environment.

When I played for CAHN, it was my second time abroad, stepping out of the French border, so everything became easier. I also consulted Quang Hai, asking him what the environment in Vietnam was like before coming here.

- How did you learn Vietnamese?

I have a Vietnamese teacher. I have 3 lessons a week, each lesson lasts 1 hour. Every day, I take advantage of every situation to apply what I learn. I also study with my wife. At school, my children also learn Vietnamese.

At CAHN Club, I can speak a little Vietnamese with my teammates. During the match, I often try to shout out Vietnamese commands as much as possible, such as “left”, “right”, “forward”, “back”, “behind”. I always try to communicate in Vietnamese.

- Are you confident in singing the Vietnamese National Anthem?

Yes. I learned to sing the Vietnamese National Anthem, practiced and recorded it.

- How is life in Vietnam?

Everything is great. Vietnam is a wonderful country. The people are friendly and the pace of life is good.

My day starts with taking my kids to school in the morning, then taking my wife for a walk around Ecopark. In the afternoon, I practice with the team, and in the evening I spend time with my family. I enjoy every moment, every moment of my time here.

I want to live the rest of my life in Vietnam. No matter what country I get an offer to play in, I don’t want to leave Vietnam. I just want to stay here.

I want to join hands to develop Vietnamese football, if possible. I want to show the world that Vietnam has many good players. In the future, Vietnamese football will be very strong. Opening a football academy for young people? Maybe.

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh has played 28 matches for CAHN Club since the beginning of the tournament.

PHOTO: FBNV

Cute moments of Cao Pendant Quang Vinh with his family

PHOTO: FBNV

- When he got Vietnamese citizenship, his mother cried. She was very proud that her son was preparing to contribute to the national team!

My mother was very happy. When I called her to tell her that I had Vietnamese citizenship, she almost cried. Her eyes were already filled with tears. Nothing can describe her happiness when I decided to return to Vietnam to contribute to her homeland.

My mother was also surprised when I took my mother's last name as my Vietnamese last name (Cao Pendant Quang Vinh). She asked: "Really, you took my mother's last name as your Vietnamese last name?" I said: "Yes, because I took a Vietnamese name, I am proud to take my mother's last name and add it to my name." My mother just said that she thanked me for that, because I chose to return to Vietnam and tried my best here.

Even though I am not Vietnamese, my father is very proud that I have Vietnamese nationality. He said that if I am called up to the Vietnamese team, I must try my best, show the proud image of the Vietnamese people and bring happiness to the fans.

- What is your goal with the Vietnam team?

If I am called up to the Vietnam national team, I will do my best and devote everything to the national flag. The immediate goal is to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup with the whole team. After that, it will be the 2030 World Cup. I know that participating in the 2026 World Cup is impossible. However, in the next qualifying round, I aspire to join Vietnam to qualify and participate in the World Cup finals.

If Vietnam meets France in the World Cup, it will be interesting. I will do my best to win the match with the Vietnamese team. Of course.

Thanks for the chat!

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cao-pendant-quang-vinh-toi-muon-du-world-cup-cung-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-185250507154850792.htm