Small-town boy chases football stardom from a fishing village

In the impoverished fishing village of Tam Xuan, Da Nang, the sound of children's laughter rings louder than usual. Fourteen-year-old Nguyen Kha, known affectionately as "Khả còi," is home on holiday from the U.14 Hue football team, a local hero to the village youth. Despite his slight build and quiet demeanor, Kha harbors a big dream: to become a football star.

Nicknamed "Khả còi" for his small, thin frame, Kha is a source of immense pride for his community. When he visits home, children abandon their phones to watch him juggle a ball, share stories from his training, or simply touch his professional football boots. In person, Kha's sun-darkened face and smaller-than-average size belie his status as a young athlete. He left his family at the age of 10 to chase his passion on the field.

Kha comes from a struggling family. His mother sells fish and cuts hair, while his father works as a shrimp farmer. Their life is a constant challenge. In his primary school days, Kha would wake before dawn to help his mother carry fish from the boats before rushing to school. After classes, the beach became his football pitch, his love for the sport eclipsing all else.

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I've loved football since second grade. I want to be a famous player like Anh Van Quyen, Quang Hai, Ronaldo, Messi

"I've loved football since second grade. I want to be a famous player like Van Quyen, Quang Hai, Ronaldo, or Messi," Kha says shyly, a smile playing on his lips. His dream grew with every afternoon spent playing barefoot on the sand. Encouraged by his agility and skill, villagers urged his parents to let him pursue professional training. At 10, his parents took him to Hue for tryouts, where coach Nguyen Thanh Tuan spotted his talent. Kha officially moved away from home, admitting, "At first, I missed home a lot and sometimes cried at night. But I loved football, so I endured."

On the field for U.14 Hue, "Khả còi" transforms, his presence commanding attention. The homesickness of a 10-year-old, missing his mother's cooking, the sound of the waves, and playing with friends on the beach, is a deep ache. Yet, this sacrifice brings him closer to his dream. His day begins at 4 a.m. with training until 6:30 a.m., a rigorous schedule that fuels his ambition.

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At first, I missed home a lot and sometimes cried at night. But I loved football, so I endured.