Hot football news midday 24/6: Vietnamese-origin goalkeeper realizes dream of joining Vietnam national team

Le Giang Patrik has officially turned his dream of representing Vietnam into reality, as Coach Kim Sang-sik's squad grapples with the issue of insufficient high-caliber preparation matches before the 2026 ASEAN Championship, the World Cup, and the European transfer window still shows significant activity.

Patrik realizes his Vietnam national team dream

Goalkeeper Le Giang Patrik becomes the focal point during the Vietnam national team's first training session on the afternoon of June 23, marking his debut after more than three years of waiting to complete his naturalization procedures. The goalkeeper of Vietnamese-Slovak heritage could not hide his joy and pride upon officially donning the national team jersey, while also expressing gratitude to CA Ho Chi Minh City, the VFF, and those who supported him throughout his journey. Patrik also stated that he quickly adapted thanks to the help of the coaching staff and teammates. With extensive experience in the V-League, the 33-year-old goalkeeper is expected to increase competition for the goalkeeper position, providing Coach Kim Sang-sik with additional quality options in the campaign to conquer the 2026 ASEAN Championship.

Vietnam's concerns

The Vietnam national team is actively preparing for the 2026 ASEAN Championship with a nearly two-week training camp in South Korea under the guidance of Coach Kim Sang-sik. However, alongside positive signs in terms of professionalism, the team still faces the issue of a lack of quality friendly opponents to test their actual strength.

According to the plan, Myanmar will be the only "friendly rival" for Vietnam before the tournament, but this opponent no longer maintains its previous standing. This has raised concerns among experts about the team's ability to gain match practice before facing strong competitors like Thailand or Indonesia. Nevertheless, Coach Kim Sang-sik is making the most of the training period to refine tactics, enhance physical fitness, and build cohesion, aiming to defend the Southeast Asian crown.

Commentator pays price for criticizing FIFA

Commentator Jorge Chipi Vera has been stripped of his accreditation for the 2026 World Cup by FIFA following controversial remarks during Paraguay's 1-0 win over Turkey. The incident stemmed from a red card shown to Miguel Almiron, who was sent off for violating a new rule banning players from covering their mouths when arguing on the field.

Furious with the referee's decision, Vera called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the referees "thieves," and accused FIFA of "ruining football." He later confirmed that his accreditation was revoked, and he is no longer allowed to cover the World Cup. In a public apology letter, Vera admitted losing control, apologized to FIFA, the audience, and his employer, while asserting that disagreement does not justify using offensive language.

Bellingham surprises after being honored by FIFA

Jude Bellingham became the center of attention after England's 0-0 draw with Ghana at the 2026 World Cup, as he was surprisingly awarded the Man of the Match title by FIFA. However, the Real Madrid midfielder caught fans' eyes even more with his humble remarks after the match. Despite being honored, Bellingham openly admitted he did not deserve the award and believed a Ghanaian player should have received it after a courageous defensive performance.

In the match, the 23-year-old star had only one shot and one key pass before being substituted in the 72nd minute. The draw prevented England from securing an early qualification, but the "Three Lions" still hold their destiny in the race for top spot in Group L.

European transfer market heats up

The summer transfer market continues to buzz with a series of notable deals. Striker Brian Brobbey has become a target for Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Chelsea after an impressive season with Sunderland and standout performances at the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, Arsenal received a discouraging signal as Aston Villa insisted they would not sell Morgan Rogers, a player considered key to their plans. Nonetheless, the Gunners are pushing ahead with negotiations with Leicester City to recruit young talent Jeremy Monga.

In other developments, Chelsea has submitted an offer for Atalanta's Marco Palestra to strengthen their right flank. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are reportedly closely monitoring center-back Piero Hincapie in an effort to upgrade their defense ahead of the new season.