Công Phượng's return to V-League: A boost for the tournament

After spending several years overseas and in lower-tier leagues, Nguyễn Công Phượng's return does more than just add a unique appeal to the 2026/2027 V-League—it also raises expectations for a highly ambitious Đồng Nai side led by head coach Nguyễn Việt Thắng.

With a series of high-quality signings and a clear team-building strategy, the V-League newcomer is poised to become one of the standout highlights of the upcoming season.

V-League always needs stars capable of generating appeal beyond pure professionalism. And few Vietnamese players over the past decade have commanded such a large fan base and wielded such strong influence as Nguyễn Công Phượng.

Therefore, the return of the striker from Nghệ An to Vietnam's top football league after years of absence will surely be one of the most talked-about stories.

Although Phượng's form will need time to be verified after his irregular appearances at the highest level, the value of the 31-year-old forward has never been limited to goals alone. He remains a name that draws crowds to the stadium, generates media buzz, and brings special attention to every match he plays. Amid V-League's constant desire to boost its appeal, the comeback of one of Vietnamese football's icons is a positive signal for the entire league.

What's more noteworthy is that Công Phượng is likely not just a standalone star but will become the centerpiece of Đồng Nai's ambitious project. As a newly promoted side to V-League, the team from the southeastern region makes no secret of its determination to build a competitive squad rather than just aiming for survival. To achieve this, the club's leadership has invested heavily in the transfer market.

In just the past few days, Đồng Nai has announced three notable signings. Defender Nguyễn Văn Đức previously played for CAHN and Hà Tĩnh and was even called up to the Vietnam national team. Goalkeeper Phạm Văn Phong brings years of experience from his stints with Thể Công Viettel and Sài Gòn FC, providing valuable expertise to the backline. Most strikingly, foreign player Milos Vulic made 25 appearances in Serie A with Crotone, facing giants like Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus, and also earned two caps for the Serbian national team. These additions show that Đồng Nai is not only looking to deepen its squad but also seeking to elevate its quality from the very first season in V-League.

Behind this ambitious plan stands coach Nguyễn Việt Thắng. After years working with youth teams and in the First Division, the former Vietnam national team striker finally has his chance to lead a side in V-League for the first time—an opportunity he has long awaited.

Last season, coach Việt Thắng was expected to take charge of Ninh Bình at the top level. However, just before the V-League kicked off, he was unexpectedly removed to make way for foreign coach Gerard Castano. That decision ended the 1981-born manager's dream of his debut at this level, leaving much regret as he hardly had a chance to prove his ability.

Thus, Đồng Nai is not just a new destination but also a chance for coach Việt Thắng to validate himself. Unlike his previous situation, this time he enjoys strong trust from the club's leadership. Đồng Nai has continuously strengthened its squad according to the coaching staff's vision, bringing in players with ample V-League experience to form a competitive core.

If Công Phượng truly becomes the central piece in the playing system, he will be surrounded by seasoned teammates and quality foreign players. This provides a foundation for coach Việt Thắng to build a team that not only relies on defensive counterattacks—as many newcomers do—but can aim for a proactive and entertaining style of play.

Of course, the gap between ambition and reality is always a major challenge. V-League is a highly competitive arena where many teams have rich traditions and stable squads. Đồng Nai will face considerable pressure in its first season back in the top flight.

However, based on what's happening in the transfer market, this club shows it does not intend to merely show up and participate.

A heavily invested Đồng Nai, a young coach making his V-League mark, and a returning Công Phượng as the driving force—this combination is enough to spark fans' curiosity. If all the pieces work as expected, the newly promoted team could well become the "dark horse" of the season.