Spanish coach showers praise on the 'Vietnamese Mbappe'

Coach Gerard Albadalejo expressed great admiration for the young talent Lê Phát following his standout debut, as the "Vietnamese Mbappe" provided an assist that helped Ninh Bình secure a 1-0 win against SLNA.

Ninh Bình’s narrow 1-0 win over SLNA in the 10th round of the 2025/26 V-League not only kept the Hoa Lư capital team at the top of the table but also marked a memorable debut for the young talent Nguyễn Lê Phát, famously known as the "Vietnamese Mbappe".

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Coach Gerard Albadalejo showed his satisfaction: "I told Lê Phát beforehand to be ready because he would get a chance today. This morning, we confirmed to him that he would definitely play in the second half.

He played calmly, naturally enjoying the game. He is one of Vietnam’s young football talents with great potential to develop", the Spanish strategist shared.

Lê Phát’s performance demonstrated the qualities of a modern player: speed, technique, and smart ball control in tight spaces. Beyond his assist, the 18-year-old troubled SLNA’s defense with his bursts of pace and intelligent movements on the left flank.

In this match, Coach Gerard Albadalejo decided to give the 2007-born Lê Phát a chance by bringing him on in the second half, and that trust was fully rewarded. Facing difficulties in offense, Lê Phát made a significant impact with a precise cross, enabling Gia Hưng to score the only goal of the match by beating goalkeeper Cao Văn Bình.

Having been a familiar face in national youth teams, most recently with Vietnam U18, Lê Phát is highly regarded for his diverse finishing skills and quick adaptability.

This promising debut is expected to be a stepping stone for the "Vietnamese Mbappe" to continue proving himself with Ninh Bình in this V-League season.