'The Generation Battle' for the Vietnamese Golden Ball 2025

22/12/2025 16:27:00 ceshi

From experienced names like Hoàng Đức, Quang Hải, Văn Lâm, and Tiến Linh to emerging talents who had an explosive year such as Đình Bắc, Hiểu Minh, and Thanh Nhàn, the Vietnamese Golden Ball 2025 is experiencing a fierce contest. This year's competition is particularly exciting as the boundary between the national team's "golden generation" and the emerging young wave is becoming less distinct.

Among the veterans, Hoàng Đức stands out the most. The midfielder born in 1998 had a remarkable 2025, becoming the focal point in Ninh Bình FC’s impressive rise. On the national team, he continues to be a key player helping Vietnam maintain positive results in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Additionally, Đặng Văn Lâm provides rare stability in goal, Tiến Linh remains a top domestic striker, and although Quang Hải no longer shines as brightly as during his peak, he still carries significant experience and influence at critical moments.

However, what truly sets the 2025 Golden Ball race apart is the strong emergence of Vietnam’s U22/U23 generation.

In this odd-numbered year, with youth tournaments taking center stage, the young players had many opportunities to shine and they maximized them fully. Vietnam’s U23 team won the 2025 U23 Southeast Asia Championship, secured a spot at the 2026 U23 Asian Cup finals, and then claimed gold at the 33rd SEA Games — a string of achievements powerful enough to shift the voting balance.

The brilliant accomplishments of Vietnam’s U22 team in 2025 have made the Vietnamese Golden Ball 2025 voting highly unpredictable. Photo: Tuấn Phạm.

The most outstanding is Nguyễn Đình Bắc. The striker born in 2004 not only earned the Best Player award at the 2025 U23 Southeast Asia Championship but also led Vietnam’s U22 attack on their way to SEA Games 33 gold and qualification for the 2026 U23 Asian Cup finals.

At the club level, Đình Bắc has earned full trust from coach Polking, playing regularly and significantly contributing to CAHN’s progress beyond the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two, as well as their victories in the National Cup and Super Cup. At times, Đình Bắc’s impact even rivals that of captain Quang Hải at CAHN.

Not only Đình Bắc, but players like Hiểu Minh, Thanh Nhàn, and Văn Thuận are also formidable contenders. The PVF CAND duo, Hiểu Minh and Thanh Nhàn, have shown remarkable growth, consistently making their mark in major tournaments and earning call-ups to the national team by coach Kim Sang Sik. This clear progress makes it hard for experts to overlook these young talents when casting their votes.

Emotional factors also play a significant role. The SEA Games 33 gold medal, won late in the year, left a strong impression on fans and experts alike. Consequently, the young players who directly brought such joy are more likely to gain favor compared to the veterans who mainly competed in qualifiers or club competitions.

Therefore, the Vietnamese Golden Ball 2025 is not just a statistical comparison but a contest between the present and the future. Regardless of who is named on the Gala night of December 26, the clearest fact is that Vietnamese football possesses a talented next generation capable of applying positive pressure. And it is precisely this competition that represents the most valuable "Golden Ball" for the future of the nation’s football.

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