Cong Vinh and Thuy Tien are seen together at Hanoi’s Hang Day Stadium in June, 2009

The country’s star football player Cong Vinh admits he’s madly in love with teen pop idol Thuy Tien.

The ace striker headed to Portugal in late August to play for the country’s top-flight Super Liga club Leixoes from September 1, but has confessed he is indeed involved in a romantic relationship with Tien.

“I will miss my friends and my family very much when I play in Portugal, especially my girlfriend whom I long to see day and night,” says Vinh.

Following the footballer’s statement, Tien confirmed that what Vinh said was true.

The 24-year-old pop singer said earlier in an interview that she didn’t want to discuss her personal relationships or private life, especially after provocative photos of hers surfaced in the media a month before the first time they met.

The photos created a frenzy of rumors, but despite the controversy, Tien says she was able to shrug them off and focus on her career.

“I realized early on that everything would pass,” she says. “I leave behind all the bygones and live for the future.”

A romantic twist of fate

The young singer said there was a special chemistry between her and striker Vinh from the moment they first met early this year.

“To tell the truth, my heart fluttered when I first met Vinh,” she says. “He left in my heart an indescribable feeling and a deep impression of his courteous nature.”

Tien also praised Vinh for helping her face a difficult, painful past.

“I experienced a huge loss at a young age when my father passed away,” she says.

“Since then, I’ve always wished to date a gentleman whom I can find a part of the image of my dad; and I found it in Vinh.

“It’s Vinh who helps me have a more joyful and happy life.”

In response to media speculation that Tien is simply dating Vinh to boost her public profile, the young singer denies the rumors saying, “There is nothing more important than our true love. Love is a twist of fate and I feel lucky when I have it.”

Tien also revealed that Vinh phones her daily whenever the two are apart so they can remain as close as possible.

Reported by Thao Trang