As the ASEAN Cup 2026 final approaches, scheduled for August 22, 2023, between Thailand and Vietnam, a nostalgic image of young striker Đình Bắc standing alongside veteran player Quế Ngọc Hải has gone viral among fans. The photo, shared by Đình Bắc earlier this month, showcases a moment from their past when Hải guided the young player onto the field for a flag-raising ceremony, reminiscent of Lionel Messi carrying Lamine Yamal during their early days.

Quế Ngọc Hải, who is 11 years older than Đình Bắc and hails from the same Nghệ An province, has long been a prominent figure in the Vietnamese national team. As a child, Đình Bắc looked up to Hải, viewing him as a role model for his resilience and strength. This admiration has only grown, with Đình Bắc expressing his desire to emulate Hải's leadership qualities in his own career.

During the 2026 Lunar New Year, after competing for Hanoi Police FC, Đình Bắc visited Hải's family in Nghệ An and gifted him a jersey signed by the U23 Vietnam team. In return, Hải presented Đình Bắc with his own jersey from the World Cup 2022 qualifiers, along with an encouraging message: "ĐB7 will lead the Vietnam national team to the World Cup 2030." This exchange symbolizes the transfer of dreams and aspirations from one generation to the next.

Quế Ngọc Hải has participated in six consecutive AFF Cups from 2014 to 2022, with the pinnacle being the 2018 championship, where Vietnam claimed victory after a decade. As the vice-captain during that tournament, Hải was frequently seen donning the captain's armband and was named to the tournament's best XI. Following the championship, he took on the captaincy of the national team, a role he has held for several years.

In addition to his playing career, Hải is preparing for a new chapter as he plans to complete his coaching certification by the end of 2024. This will mark the beginning of his journey into coaching after retirement.

While Hải took years to establish himself as a leader of the national team, Đình Bắc has quickly made his mark on the Southeast Asian stage. The ASEAN Cup 2026 marks his debut in the tournament, and he has already made headlines by scoring a hat-trick and assisting another goal in a 7-0 victory against Timor-Leste. Earlier in 2026, he also shone with the U23 Vietnam team, netting four goals in the U23 Asian Championship and becoming a standout player.

Coach Kim Sang-sik has praised Đình Bắc's progress, noting his energy and growth as a player. However, he also emphasizes the need for the young striker to improve his defensive contributions as he aims for success on larger platforms, such as in Asia and Europe.