This story is part of Billboard’s Global World Cup Series, a collection of stories which pairs top soccer stars across the world competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with highly-touted musicians in accompanying countries.
Unflashy and unassuming, Nguyen Nhat Minh is the truest definition of Vietnam U23’s resilience. Fans see his sheer tenacity on the pitch, yet few realize that behind this composed fortress lies a man of deep reflection. Nhat Minh harbors a love for football profound and forgiving enough to transform every bitter hardship into the driving force to push forward.
It is no coincidence that Nhat Minh’s name features in the Billboard’s Global World Cup Series accompanying the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He approached our conversation with the same unwavering composure he showed at the final whistle of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup third-place playoff. Looking back at that milestone, Nhat Minh retains his signature “cool” demeanor, letting the statistics speak for his extraordinary journey: 600 minutes of unceasing play, six consecutive matches and 16 spectacular clearances against a formidable opponent like South Korea.
His answer to our first question perfectly describes how he plays football. No goals scored, no flashy plays making the headlines. But every time he appears in the right spot, executes the perfect clearance and holds his position, the entire defense stands firm with him, and the whole squad rediscovers the vital energy needed to press on.
As an athlete, what do you admire most about music artists?
Nhat Minh: I admire how artists ignite passion and captivate their audience. It’s not something just anyone can do. It doesn’t stem from top-tier vocal techniques or the sheer number of hits, but rather from an invisible energy radiating from the stage into the crowd, making emotions swell and making the audience just want to stand up and sing along.
Amidst suffocating pressure, what makes you feel that all your efforts are worth it?
Nhat Minh: Every ounce of effort becomes worthwhile when you look at your own passion, fight for the national colors, strive for the team’s collective success and see the acknowledgment in the eyes of the fans.
A Team Player, Not a Spotlight Seeker
At the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, while the defensive line was decimated by injuries and suspensions, Nhat Minh was the lone pillar standing tall from start to finish, not missing a single minute. This was absolutely no miracle or stroke of luck; it was the result of a physical foundation built through countless unphotographed training sessions and a nerves-of-steel mentality forged through forgotten defeats. He is a player born to belong to the collective, not to chase personal glory.
On match days, what genre of music do you and your teammates usually listen to?
Nhat Minh: Before the match, the whole team and I often turn to fast-paced and upbeat EDM tracks. Music at that moment acts as a catalyst, helping me heighten my focus, cast aside nerves and force my body to fully awaken to reach its peak state. But after leaving the locker room, Quân A.P’s music is what I listen to most to stabilize my mind.
Have you ever watched a World Cup live?
Nhat Minh: Although I am still just a loyal spectator through the small screen, my excitement for the World Cup has never faded. I always follow the matches because the allure of the rolling ball doesn’t just lie in the technicalities, but in the electrifying atmosphere of tens of thousands of people. The feeling of everyone holding their breath together, erupting in shared joy or collective regret — that is a magnificent resonating energy that no technology can replicate.