In the early hours of September 5, Vietnam time, center-back Duy Manh shared a photo confirming that he had successfully undergone surgery in the US for a meniscus injury. He said he would devote himself to rehabilitation in hopes of returning to the pitch as soon as possible.

“I have been through many difficult moments before, and this is another challenging period in my career. But with all my determination and effort, I believe I will overcome it soon. I would like to thank everyone who has always cared for me, encouraged me, supported me and cheered me on,” Duy Manh wrote on his social media page.

Following the successful operation, Duy Manh is expected to need six to nine months of rehabilitation before he can return to competitive football.

That means he is set to miss not only the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup finals, but also nearly the entire 2026/27 season with Hanoi FC. His absence is a major blow to both the Vietnam national team and his club.

Duy Manh suffered the meniscus injury before Vietnam’s training camp for the ASEAN Cup 2026. Although unable to fight alongside his teammates on the pitch, the former Vietnam captain has continued to appear regularly in the stands and at training sessions to support the “Golden Star Warriors.”

Dai Nam