Top 5 Vietnam Golden Ball 2025: Đình Bắc vs Tiến Linh

The competition for the 2025 Vietnam Golden Ball reaches its most intense phase with the announcement of the nominees' shortlist by the organizing committee.

The Vietnam Golden Ball award, organized annually by the Saigon Liberation newspaper, is a prestigious honor recognizing individuals with outstanding contributions to Vietnamese football. According to the organizers, the Top 5 nominees for the 2025 men's Golden Ball are Nguyễn Tiến Linh, Nguyễn Quang Hải, Nguyễn Đình Bắc, Nguyễn Hoàng Đức, and Trần Trung Kiên. All are consistent performers playing key roles in Vietnam's football campaigns over the past year.

The inclusion of Nguyễn Đình Bắc is considered the most notable highlight in this year’s shortlist. The young forward born in 2004 had a breakthrough 2025, shining continuously in regional tournaments, especially at SEA Games 33, where he became a crucial part of U22 Vietnam’s attacking strategy.

Meanwhile, Nguyễn Tiến Linh continues to affirm his status as one of Vietnam’s most reliable strikers. With his consistent goal-scoring in both the V.League and the national team, Tiến Linh remains a strong contender for this prestigious award. Additionally, Nguyễn Quang Hải is also an indispensable name in the Golden Ball race. Despite facing challenges in his career, this midfielder has demonstrated great class and influence upon returning to domestic competition.

Furthermore, Nguyễn Hoàng Đức and Trần Trung Kiên each bring their own distinct impact. Hoàng Đức maintains steady form in midfield, playing a pivotal role in controlling matches, while Trần Trung Kiên has impressed with his progress and positive contributions throughout the season in his position.

Not only the men’s category attracts significant attention, the 2025 Women’s Golden Ball also features fierce competitionamong familiar key players like Huỳnh Như, Ngân Thị Vạn Sự, Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy, Trần Thị Thùy Trang, and Phạm Hải Yến.

In futsal, the Golden Ball shortlist includes Nguyễn Đa Hải, Châu Đoàn Phát, Nguyễn Thịnh Phát, Từ Minh Quang, and Phạm Văn Tú. The best young female player category highlights promising talents such as Ngọc Minh Chuyên, Lưu Hoàng Vân, Nguyễn Thị Minh Ánh, and Ngân Thị Thanh Hiếu.

At the same time, the race for the Best Foreign Player is expected to be highly competitive, featuring standout names like Leo Artur, Sebastiao, Henrique, and Lucao. Meanwhile, the Best Young Male Player award promises an exciting contest among Nguyễn Hiểu Minh, Nguyễn Đình Bắc, and Khuất Văn Khang.

According to the schedule, the 2025 Vietnam Golden Ball Gala will be held on December 26 at Ben Thanh Theater (Ho Chi Minh City).