In this biography
Quick facts
- Born
- 10 December 1985
- Birthplace
- Quỳnh Lưu, Nghệ An, Vietnam
- Country
- Vietnam
- Nationality
- Vietnamese
- Known for
- A record 51 international goals and the 2008 AFF Championship winner
- National-team record
- 83 caps and 51 goals
- Major title
- AFF Championship, 2008
- Overseas clubs
- Leixões and Consadole Sapporo
- Retired
- 2016
Why this life matters
Vinh combined domestic scoring, rare overseas club experience and a national-team record that set a benchmark for Vietnamese football.
Timeline
Key moments
Born in Nghệ An
Born in Quỳnh Lưu on 10 December.
Became a national-team regular
Established himself as a leading Vietnam striker.
Scored the championship winner
His late header secured Vietnam’s first AFF title.
Joined Leixões
Played briefly in Portugal’s top division.
Played in Japan
Joined Consadole Sapporo on loan.
Retired
Ended his international and professional playing career.
From Nghệ An to the national team
Lê Công Vinh developed at Sông Lam Nghệ An and became a first-team scorer while still young. Pace, movement and persistence made him a regular for Vietnam and a three-time Vietnamese Golden Ball winner.
His defining moment came in the 2008 AFF Championship final. A stoppage-time header against Thailand secured the draw Vietnam needed for its first regional title.
Records and overseas experience
Vinh had short spells with Leixões in Portugal and Consadole Sapporo in Japan, uncommon routes for a Vietnamese player of his era. He later captained club and country through the final stage of his career.
When he retired in 2016, his 83 appearances and 51 goals stood as Vietnam records. The numbers and the 2008 goal made him a reference point for every later generation of national-team forwards.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about Lê Công Vinh
- Who is Lê Công Vinh?
- Lê Công Vinh is a former Vietnam national football captain. Vinh combined domestic scoring, rare overseas club experience and a national-team record that set a benchmark for Vietnamese football.
- What is Lê Công Vinh best known for?
- Lê Công Vinh is best known for a record 51 international goals and the 2008 AFF Championship winner.
- When and where was Lê Công Vinh born?
- Lê Công Vinh was born on 10 December 1985 in Quỳnh Lưu, Nghệ An, Vietnam.
Sources and further reading
How this biography was checked
Core dates and offices are checked against the sources below. This profile was last reviewed on 8 September 2026.
