Goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung (L) and his Ukrainian model wife Dianka Zakhidova. Photo from Dung's Instagram |
The goalkeeper remarked that this year’s celebration, held on Wednesday night, was the briefest he has ever had, as he had only five minutes at the airport with his family before he had to leave for the northern province of Thanh Hoa with his team for an upcoming match.
To make this short gathering possible, Zakhidova, accompanied by their son Danil, her mother, and her sister, flew in from Ho Chi Minh City to coincide with Dung’s arrival at Noi Bai as he was preparing to head to Thanh Hoa.
The model purchased a cake at the airport and let her husband blow out the candles, marking the occasion of his birthday. She extended her birthday greetings to Dung on social media, saying: "Happy birthday to the one behind my biggest smiles and brightest days."
"You are my protection and support, I am so blessed and proud to be your wife...it is the greatest joy in the world."
Zakhidova, 24, is known for her modeling work in Vietnam.
Dung was a key player for the U23 national team, contributing to the team’s second-place finish at the AFC U23 Championship in 2018.
He is currently on loan at Hoang Anh Gia Lai football club from the Cong An Ha Noi.
The couple, who married in May 2022, celebrated the arrival of their first child in November of the same year.