Tiến Linh shares both sadness and joy on the day V-League comes to an end

The last matchday of the 2025/26 V-League was packed with emotions, but perhaps no one had a more bittersweet day than Nguyễn Tiến Linh. Within 90 minutes, the forward for CLB Công an TP.HCM experienced two completely contrasting feelings—sharing joy with his current team for securing a top-five finish, while hearing that the club where he rose to prominence had dropped down a division.

On Hàng Đẫy Stadium, Tiến Linhcontinued to show his resurgence. In a match where CLB Công an TP.HCM needed points to hold onto fifth place under pressure from Nam Định, the 1997-born striker scored against Hà Nội FC, securing a valuable 1-1 draw for the visitors.

That goal wasn't just personally meaningful. It directly helped CLB Công an TP.HCM end the season with 36 points, one point ahead of Nam Định, maintaining their fifth-place position.

Tiến Linh shone consistently against Thể Công Viettel and then Hà Nội FC, two top-table opponents.

Those goals allowed the striker to finish his first season withCông an TP.HCMin a much more positive light compared to the difficult period at the start of the year. He remains the team's leading goal scorer.

With six goals out of CLB Công an TP.HCM's total of 28 this season, Tiến Linh contributed 14 points to the team. However, whileTiến Linhand his teammates celebrated a top-five finish, atBình Dương Stadiuma completely different story unfolded.

Becamex TP.HCM, the club that made Tiến Linh a household name, was officially relegated despite a 3-1 win over HAGL. A bitter irony in football: Tiến Linh's former team won their final match but still had to leave V-League due to inferior head-to-head records against PVF CAND and SHB Đà Nẵng.

Becamex TP.HCM, formerly Becamex Bình Dương, is the club that not only helped this striker mature but also built the career of one of the best forwards in modern Vietnamese football.

There, Tiến Linh scored 71 V-League goals over 10 seasons, won the Vietnam Golden Ball, triumphed in the ASEAN Cup with the national team, and became a club icon.

Last season, Tiến Linh himself netted 13 goals, finishing second in the Golden Boot race and playing a key role in helping then-Becamex Bình Dương secure survival early. His value went beyond goals; he provided a crucial mental anchor for the whole team.

Prolonged instability at Becamex TP.HCM made the situation irreversible. When Tiến Linh left, people realized the worth of a striker who could carry an entire team. Therefore, the final day of V-League became a stark contrast for the 29-year-old forward.

On one side, joy from contributing to his new team's goal achievement, earning a decent bonus, and finishing the season among the top group. On the other side, regret at watching his former club, where he spent almost his entire career, officially drop to the first division.

However, Tiến Linh's season isn't over yet. CLB Công an TP.HCM still has a National Cup semi-final against Nam Định ahead.

If he maintains his current form, the Vietnam national team striker can certainly help his new club win a title and earn a spot in international competitions.

Moreover, the 29-year-old forward still yearns for a recall from coach Kim Sang Sik for the upcoming major campaigns of the Vietnam national team.