Nguyen Filip is the Vietnamese player who once had the highest value on transfermarkt.
Mr. Nguyen Minh, a Vietnamese expatriate in the Czech Republic, is very passionate about football and always supports Filip Nguyen (Vietnamese name is Nguyen Filip) in pursuing a football career. Mr. Minh's greatest desire is to one day see his son step onto the field in the Vietnamese national team jersey and contribute to his homeland.
That strong motivation urged Mr. Nguyen Minh to follow his son closely, often telling Nguyen Filip stories about his homeland, quietly fueling the dream and pride of one day wearing the Vietnamese national team jersey.
Mr. Nguyen Minh shared: "Nguyen Filip loved football since he was a child and soon showed his talent for goalkeeping. The day my son was accepted into the famous Sparta Praha academy, I was very happy and secretly thought it would be great if one day Filip returned to Vietnam and wore the Vietnamese national team jersey.
In 2016, I brought Filip to Thanh Hoa Club for a trial, but due to paperwork issues, the intention of playing in the V-League had to be put on hold. At that time, the V-League did not have the conditions to open slots for overseas Vietnamese players to contribute and try their hand like it does now.
Mr. Nguyen Minh next to Nguyen Filip and his sister when they were children.
Before that, in 2014, I had been looking for ways to complete the procedures to naturalize Nguyen Filip. This desire became even stronger after my son shone in the Slovan Liberec club shirt, receiving the award for best goalkeeper in the Czech Republic national championship in the 2018-2019 season.
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has hindered and delayed the plan. However, I can be proud that my son, who is of Vietnamese and Czech descent, always has special feelings for his fatherland and truly wants to contribute to the Vietnamese homeland."
The love for his hometown quietly sprouted in Nguyen Filip, following the stories about all fields of Mr. Nguyen Minh. From the curiosity, thoughts and desire to contribute to the Vietnam team, it was increasingly urged and grew after his visits to Vietnam.
In addition to his hometown in Hai Phong, Nguyen Filip has flown back to Vietnam many times, visiting from the South to the North such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Buon Ma Thuot, Hai Duong... sometimes alone, or with friends or his now wife, Aneta.
Nguyen Filip on his debut at CAHN Club
Mr. Nguyen Minh shared: "Filip has wanted to return to Vietnam to play football for a long time, but because he is still tied up in a contract with Slovan Liberec Club and lacks some favorable conditions, for example, not many clubs are willing to sacrifice a foreign player for the goalkeeper position.
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed Filip's plans to return to Vietnam to play football. But fortunately, everything has become more favorable, especially since the Hanoi Police Club (CAHN) expressed special interest and determination to have Filip in the squad.
I really appreciate the great affection and support of the CAHN Club leaders as well as the authorities at all levels, who have made efforts to complete the procedures for my child to have Vietnamese nationality.
The moment Filip proudly said: "I am Vietnamese!", I was extremely happy because that was the long-standing wish of both father and son. Filip truly loves Vietnam and wants to be useful to the country, to his homeland Vietnam."
Nguyen Filip with his wife and children (both Vietnamese citizens) and the 2023 V-League championship trophy
Before obtaining Vietnamese citizenship, Filip Nguyen wrote a letter asking to change his Vietnamese name to Nguyen Filip (and was approved by the authorities). He also added that during his time playing in the Czech Republic national championship, he always proudly wore a jersey with the surname Nguyen printed on the back.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Nguyen Filip was called up to the Czech Republic national team to prepare for the Nations League. He and Mr. Nguyen Minh asked a lawyer to contact the Czech Republic national team's coaching staff to consider sending him onto the field, as it could close the door to playing for the Vietnamese national team.
Now, 7 years after bringing Nguyen Filip to Thanh Hoa for a trial, Mr. Nguyen Minh can happily wait for the opportunity for his son to be called up by coach Philippe Troussier to join the Vietnam national team (expected on December 28 - PV), competing for a spot at the 2024 Asian Cup.
"We have considered and hesitated a lot when talking to the Czech Republic team's coaching staff to make sure they understand Filip's feelings. And now, there is no greater happiness than when my son has become a citizen of his father's homeland, facing the opportunity to contribute to the Vietnam national team.
Nguyen Filip receiving Vietnamese citizenship will be good news for the Vietnamese team
I am very proud of such a son. I am very happy that Filip has become a useful person to society, money is not important here. For example, my daughter Nguyenová Veronika is a police officer in the capital Prague (Czech Republic). The fact that Veronika is a useful person to the community makes the family really proud.
When Filip signed a contract with CAHN Club, I was very emotional because my dream was almost coming true. After all, Filip's wish to serve his homeland Vietnam was very close. Of course, Nguyen Filip will have to make more efforts to compete for a place if he is called up to the Vietnam national team.
Every parent dreams of their son being good, obedient, successful and useful to the country. Seeing Nguyen Filip happy at the opportunity to wear the Vietnamese national team jersey, I feel that all the efforts put in over the past time are really worth it!", Mr. Nguyen Minh happily shared.
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