The controversy surrounding Dinh Bac and the standards in the modern world of football.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Artist Truong Giang's advice to Dinh Bac about "reducing his involvement in showbiz" has gone viral online. This raises questions about the behavior of footballers towards the entertainment industry, or more broadly, the temptations outside of it.

At an event, artist Truong Giang offered advice to Dinh Bac, implying: "Focus on football, and cut back on these other things." Truong Giang's statement caused a stir on social media, with many conflicting opinions.

The debate revolves around whether a young player like Dinh Bac should appear at entertainment events. One side argues that players need to focus entirely on their profession, staying away from the spotlight of showbiz. The other side questions whether, in modern football, it is still unusual for players to appear in entertainment and media settings.

This controversy, if examined closely, is not just about one individual. It reflects the clash between traditional football standards and a rapidly changing sporting world where players are no longer simply competitors on the pitch.

Truong Giang advised Dinh Bac to "participate less in showbiz" (Screenshot).

Football players - famous stars: A modern trend

"Personal branding" is a crucial factor determining a player's level of fame. In the past, before media coverage was fully developed, players primarily built their personal brands through their on-field performances, and then their talent would spread through word of mouth or newspaper articles.

Therefore, globally famous players like "King of Football" Pele are rare. So much so that in 1969, the two warring factions in Nigeria decided on a 48-hour ceasefire when the Brazilian football legend arrived in Lagos (the capital of Nigeria) to play a friendly match.

But as time went on, with the widespread development of the internet and the increasing dominance of social media, the popularity of players was reflected in a completely different way. Now, a player is also a social media celebrity. Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi not only demonstrate their influence on the football field, but also on social media.

Cristiano Ronaldo has over 1 billion followers across social media platforms, equivalent to the combined population of China and India. Thanks to this massive following, CR7 is a highly influential figure, frequently appearing at major entertainment events and earning tens of millions of euros annually through advertising, commercial activities, and event appearances.

A study titled "Football Stars Shape Fan Loyalty" indicates that famous players are not just athletes but also brand figures, influencing fan perceptions and brand value.

Cristiano Ronaldo has over 1 billion followers on social media and regularly attends events (Photo: Getty).

Therefore, it's very difficult for players to remain within the boundaries of sports. Following modern trends, football has a certain degree of interaction with the entertainment industry. One of the most prominent players in this trend of venturing into showbiz is David Beckham. The former Manchester United star once defied his manager Sir Alex Ferguson to marry the famous singer Victoria. Beckham frequently appears at entertainment events, is considered a fashion icon, a brand ambassador, and appears in magazines and films.

Even the most famous player at the moment, Cristiano Ronaldo, has collaborated with numerous fashion and entertainment brands. Ronaldinho has appeared in major films and commercials, starring in media campaigns, and Thierry Henry has also appeared in many global advertisements and major brand events.

The concept of "footballers as media companies" has become familiar in studies on sports and media. This shows that players' involvement in the entertainment industry or collaborations with major brands has become commonplace and a new trend.

It's necessary to distinguish between the football field and the entertainment industry.

The common thread among many of the aforementioned football stars is not that they are "chasing after showbiz," but rather that their personal image is professionally managed as part of a long-term strategy for the player, the club, and commercial partners.

The issue of managing the personal image of players is a thorny one (Photo: AFC).

There's always a fine line between the football field and showbiz. As actor Truong Giang said to Dinh Bac: "The showbiz world always has many temptations." Therefore, if they don't maintain professionalism and self-control, many players may not overcome these temptations and lose their careers.

Many studies on sports marketing and journalism have mentioned the term "celebrity authenticity." This term can be understood as meaning that fans do not react negatively to a player's appearances off the field, as long as those images do not contradict the sporting identity they project on the field.

In other words, the issue isn't about "appearing or not appearing," but about how one appears. A player who maintains consistent performance, a professional attitude, and discipline will rarely face criticism, even if they participate in many off-field activities. Conversely, if their performance declines, any off-field image is easily targeted for attack.

Therefore, resisting the temptations of showbiz requires players (especially young ones) to have the right and professional attitude. In addition, their agents also play a crucial role in "keeping" the players from temptation.

However, there are certain differences between Vietnamese and European players. In Europe, young players are trained in both playing skills and media relations. Clubs have dedicated departments to control schedules, image, and statements. Off-field activities are carefully considered in terms of timing and impact.

In contrast, in Vietnam, players are almost entirely self-sufficient. Very few players have agents (with FIFA certification). Therefore, they are forced to navigate the industry on their own, even without the necessary skills to deal with the media and avoid the pitfalls of the entertainment world.

Therefore, from Dinh Bac's story, a bigger issue arises: who will be responsible for shaping the image of the players? Of course, the players alone are not enough. Clubs need to play a more proactive role in managing media relations. The Football Federation needs to establish clear codes of conduct.

Football today is not just about 90 minutes on the pitch; the players are also celebrities. The behavior of the players, clubs, and the Football Federation will determine the professionalism of the entire sport.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/tranh-cai-ve-dinh-bac-and-chuan-muc-trong-the-gioi-bong-da-hien-dai-20260211140100074.htm