German-Vietnamese star Kenneth Schmidt faces risk of slipping away from Vietnam's grasp

The Madagascar national team is contemplating an invitation to German-Vietnamese defender Kenneth Schmidt, initiating a significant rivalry with the Vietnam national team over securing this player.

The Madagascar national team is targeting defender German-Vietnamese Kenneth Schmidt for recruitment, opening up a noteworthy possibility in the multi-nationality player market. Given that opportunities to represent the German national team are narrowing, the international playing options for this 2002-born athlete are attracting attention from various quarters.

Kenneth Schmidt, full name Tan-Kenneth Jerico Leka-Schmidt, was born in Freiburg (Germany) to a German father and a mother of mixed Madagascar and Vietnamese heritage. This background qualifies him to represent multiple national teams, depending on his personal decision in the future.

Developed through Freiburg's academy, Schmidt gradually proved himself with Freiburg II before being promoted to the first team. The 2022/23 season marked significant progress as he gained playing time in the Bundesliga and Europa League. At that time, the 1.87-meter tall defender was valued up to 3 million euros, demonstrating clear potential for growth.

Later, Schmidt's career stalled somewhat due to injury during his loan spell at Hannover. However, his move to Fortuna Düsseldorf in mid-2025 helped this player gradually regain his form. In the German second division, he has made about 20 appearances since the start of the season and scored one goal, showing increasingly stable performance.

In this context, the Madagascar Football Federation is reportedly closely monitoring and considering sending an official invitation to Schmidt. This move is seen as an effort to strengthen defensive quality while leveraging the advantage of players with multi-national backgrounds.

Regarding Vietnam, Kenneth Schmidt has also attracted attention from some domestic clubs and could potentially become an option for the national team if necessary procedures are completed. However, with Madagascar now entering the race, the international future of this 23-year-old defender will depend on his personal choice among different opportunities to advance his career.