The journey of Vietnamese midfielder Julien Nguyen
Julien Nguyen is one of the most prominent overseas Vietnamese talents playing football in Europe. He became the first player of Vietnamese origin to participate in the U.19 Juvenil de Honor (Spain), playing for U.19 Fuenlabrada.
The U.19 Juvenil de Honor is the most professional tournament for the U.19 age group in Spain, organized by the Spanish Football Federation. This tournament features many prestigious youth teams such as U.19 Real Madrid, U.19 Barcelona or U.19 Atletico Madrid. The best teams of the tournament will be selected to participate in European youth tournaments such as the UEFA Youth League, a tournament similar to the UEFA Champions League but for young players.
Julien Nguyen (blue shirt) faces off against Real Madrid young player
PHOTO: ASEAN FOOTBALL
"I lived in Canada until the summer of 2023. After that, I went on trial at Rayo Vallecano. That was the first club I played for in Spain. This season I am playing for Fuenlabrada," Julien Nguyen confided to SCTV . "Going to Spain has given me an environment to play football with good players and talented coaches.
"Moving from an English and French speaking environment, living with family, to a Spanish speaking environment was not easy. Because everyone knows Spanish is a difficult language to learn. However, after a period of time with many new friends, having coaches to help and having an interpreter, I was able to integrate."
With a height of 1.82 m and a modern football mindset, Julien Nguyen is progressing rapidly when given the opportunity to play at U.19 Fuenlabrada.
"My height of 1.82 m is quite good. The battle in the midfield does not purely require height, but also includes endurance, physical strength and the ability to move, coordinate and deploy the ball.
Playing as a midfielder, I spent a lot of time studying the Spanish midfield, about talented midfielders like Xavi Hernandez or Andres Iniesta. Now, they also have midfielders who have proven their ability like Pedri or Gavi. As for idols, I like Kevin de Bruyne the most. I can't take my eyes off De Bruyne when I see him play.
Julien Nguyen interviewed commentator Duy Anh of SCTV
PHOTO: SCTV
In Spain, people prefer a fast and physical style of play. When I first came to Spain, I had difficulty keeping up with the speed of my teammates. However, I have improved a lot. Now, everything has become easier," Julien Nguyen affirmed.
Dream of wearing the Vietnamese national team jersey and attending the World Cup
Both Julien Nguyen's parents are Vietnamese. The family is also actively applying for Vietnamese citizenship for the player.
Before Julien Nguyen, many overseas Vietnamese players returned to Vietnam to try their hand at youth teams (Viktor Le, Andrej Nguyen An Khanh, Thomas Mai Veereen) or the Vietnam national team (Filip Nguyen, Dang Van Lam, and soon Cao Pendant Quang Vinh may be added). Thanks to the policy allowing V-League teams to use overseas Vietnamese players, many talented Vietnamese players have returned to their homeland to try their hand.
"Unfortunately, I have never been back to Vietnam. I wish to return one day, but now I have not had the opportunity. I know Vietnam is a beautiful country, with many landscapes and friendly people. I also know about Vietnamese football and hope I can contribute more.
I would be honored if I had the opportunity to return to Vietnam to play for my parents' and sister's homeland. If I had that opportunity, why wouldn't I accept it? It would be very special. I hope to compete with the Vietnamese team at the Asian Cup and the World Cup as well," Julien Nguyen shared.
Viktor Le (number 11) is a rare overseas Vietnamese player who has a place in a youth team.
PHOTO: MINH TU
Julien Nguyen also confirmed that he watched the performance of U.23 Vietnam at the 2024 U.23 Asian Cup. "I want to do something with the youth teams, and then play well with the national team," the midfielder born in 2006 confided.
"I will try my best in the last 5 matches of the 2024 - 2025 season. Further, I hope to be noticed by the Vietnamese national team. Who knows, if I'm lucky, I can play for U.22 Vietnam at the 33rd SEA Games!?
Now, I have Canadian citizenship. I am also promoting the process of obtaining Vietnamese citizenship from my family. In the future, I hope everything will be favorable so that I can soon return to serve my homeland," Julien Nguyen concluded.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/sao-viet-kieu-choi-o-tay-ban-nha-muon-cung-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-du-world-cup-18525040120355145.htm
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