Trong Hoang: Warrior leader, age is just a number

At the age of 36, the image of Nguyen Trong Hoang with his head wrapped in bandages, enduring the pain while fighting in the match between Hong Linh Ha Tinh and HAGL, is the embodiment of responsibility and valuable leadership spirit in football.

Trong Hoang endured the pain and played hard in the 1-0 victory over HAGL.

Photo: Minh Tu

Ageless warrior Nguyen Trong Hoang

At Ha Tinh Stadium on the evening of November 4, captain Nguyen Trong Hoang moved fans when he appeared in the starting lineup with a white headband, when Hong Linh Ha Tinh met HAGL in round 10 of V-League 2025 - 2026.

Despite the pouring rain, Trong Hoang was still active on the right wing, throwing himself into every challenge. During the 80 minutes on the field, he not only held his line firmly, but also constantly urged his teammates before leaving the field in the 87th minute to the applause of the audience.

Trong Hoang was out but his fighting spirit was still kept alive by his young teammates on the field, before bringing a 1-0 victory to Hong Linh Ha Tinh, a victory filled with sweat and will of the entire team headed by the 36-year-old captain.

Trong Hoang competes for the ball with Jairo on Pleiku Arena field

Photo: Minh Tran

Just a few days before, in the match against Hanoi FC in round 9, he was accidentally stepped on by naturalized midfielder Do Hoang Hen in the left ear after a tackle in the 54th minute. Blood was pouring down his shirt, and medical staff had to enter the field to stop the bleeding and bandage it immediately.

However, after waking up, the captain still ignored the doctor's suggestion, wrapped his head in a bandage and played through the pain until the end of the match. Only when the final whistle blew, bringing 3 points to Hong Linh Ha Tinh, did he go to the hospital to have the tear stitched.

The image of Trong Hoang fighting and bleeding on the field has been too familiar for nearly 20 years, but always causes strong emotions. Throughout his heroic and glorious career, he always went out to fight with all his might, showing leadership spirit and responsibility to every team.

The one who inspires the younger generation

Trong Hoang is the support and mentor for the players of Hong Linh Ha Tinh.

Photo: Minh Tu

At the age of 36, Trong Hoang is not only a pillar of Hong Linh Ha Tinh but also a role model and symbol of perseverance for the younger generation of players. He is the embodiment of a true warrior - a captain who does not retreat or fear pain, always ready to play for the team.

The victory of Hong Linh Ha Tinh against Hanoi FC and HAGL not only had value in terms of points, bringing the team into the top 5, but also highlighted the spirit of dedication and responsibility of Hoang "cow" to the collective of "ordinary" young players of the Hong mountain football team.

Trong Hoang joined Hong Linh Ha Tinh in early 2024 not to retire. He wants to play football and guide the younger generation, as he answered in a simple interview after the match against SLNA in round 4: "I will try to pass on my experience to the young players to help the team win more victories."

And he is doing as promised.

At the age of 36, Trong Hoang is still "burning" brightly.

Photo: Ngoc Linh

Since returning to Hong Linh Ha Tinh in February 2024, Trong Hoang has played 44 matches in the V-League, scoring 3 goals. In the 2025-2026 season alone, he has played all 10 matches, although he has not scored yet, he has still maintained his physical strength and stable performance at the highest intensity.

Not only that, Hoang "cow" played 4 matches and scored 1 goal in the National Cup. In every match, he always worked hard on the right wing. Statistics show that Hoang "cow" is still in the group of players who move the most on the team each match - a rare thing for a "veteran" nearly 40 years old.

As one of the oldest players in V-League, Trong Hoang not only plays football but is also a spiritual leader, always strongly rushing into every dispute like the first day of his career, as if he had never had 4 V-League championships, 2 National Cups and countless other titles...

At the age of 36, when many players have chosen to stop, Hoang "cow" is still working hard on every meter of grass as if age is just a number. To Hong Linh Ha Tinh, he is not only a player but also a very special gift, an exemplary model of will and professionalism in football for young players to follow.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/trong-hoang-chien-binh-thu-linh-tuoi-tac-chi-la-con-so-185251105125748727.htm