The scan results confirmed that Nguyen Thai Son suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, requiring a long period of treatment and recovery, effectively ending his participation in the remainder of the 2025-2026 V-League season.
Overloaded schedule
Recently, there have been quite a few cases of athletes suffering serious injuries similar to Thai Son's.
After winning the ASEAN Cup 2024, players like Van Toan, Vi Hao, and Ngoc Tan returned to their respective clubs to contribute to their clubs amidst the intense V-League championship and relegation battles. Without sufficient time to recover, and forced to play at a high frequency, these players suffered serious injuries, keeping them away from the pitch for extended periods, and have yet to regain their peak form.
Experts believe that the overloaded schedule and the unscientific use of personnel by the clubs are the reasons why more and more players are getting injured. Before returning to play in the domestic league, Thai Son had just gone through two intense international tournaments, where the midfielder played a key role in the starting lineup.
Rest, recovery, and adaptation time are insufficient; the competitive environment in the V-League demands high intensity contact, a fast pace, and many fierce challenges, making injuries very likely.
Nguyen Thai Son suffered a serious injury in Round 12 of the V-League 2025-2026. Photo: Ninh Binh Club
According to sports medicine experts, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are a typical injury in modern football due to sudden "stops, turns, and changes of direction" before the body is in a stable state.
Furthermore, when young players reach peak form or make a name for themselves, they are often exploited to the fullest, constantly playing important roles without proper allocation of time. In a fiercely competitive football environment like the V-League, their lack of experience makes them even more vulnerable than their more seasoned seniors.
A necessary break is needed.
Nguyen Van Truong, a central midfielder considered a future pillar of the Vietnamese national team, underwent knee ligament surgery and will be out for the rest of the 2025-2026 season after a training camp in China in November 2025. Nguyen Hieu Minh, a young defender of the Vietnam U23 team, also needs about a year to recover after surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Meanwhile, midfielder Doan Ngoc Tan has yet to regain his best form after fracturing his fibula.
According to orthopedic specialists at Cho Ray Hospital, in addition to treatment protocols and physical therapy to restore muscle function and strength, athletes who have suffered ligament tears, fractures, etc., also need to diligently practice the correct training methods used by professional athletes in order to regain their fitness and continue competing.
The recurring serious injuries among young players are no longer simply a matter of occupational risk. The packed and overlapping schedules between national teams and clubs are pushing many players to the point of physical and mental overload.
After every major tournament, players need time to "cool down"—not only to recover their muscles but also to readjust to a completely different playing environment. The lack of this transition period makes them prone to muscle stiffness, reduced reflexes, and unsafe handling in crucial situations. Proactively giving players a rest for one or two rounds or reducing their workload isn't a waste of resources; it's an investment in their long-term future.
In the English Premier League, during Sir Alex Ferguson's time as manager of Manchester United, the organizers always implemented a very demanding schedule during the Christmas and New Year (Gregorian calendar) holidays. However, the Scottish manager still allowed the entire team a positive break in Dubai (UAE). That's why Manchester United always knew how to explode in the second half of the season.
"For young players, ligament injuries are a huge emotional shock. A year away from the pitch, during a period when expectations and attention are highest, can derail an entire career if not properly supported," added football expert Doan Minh Xuong.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/cau-thu-va-am-anh-chan-thuong-19626020321074521.htm
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