SEA Games 33: Vietnam U22 team leads in transfer market value

This figure not only surpasses direct rivals but also reflects the strong development of a young generation of players expected to become the backbone of Vietnamese football in the coming years.

Just behind Vietnam is Indonesia U22 with 3.10 million euros, highlighting a fierce two-way competition between the two fastest-growing football nations in Southeast Asia. Host nation Thailand U22 ranks third with 1.92 million euros, followed by Myanmar (1.78 million euros) and the Philippines (1.19 million euros). The sharp division among teams shows a widening gap in quality between the leading group and the rest.

Not only leading in total squad value, Vietnam also has four players featured among the top 10 most valuable footballers at SEA Games 2025. Besides key players Khuat Van Khang and Nguyen Dinh Bac—both valued at 300,000 euros, equal to Indonesia’s young star Ivar Jenner—Vietnam U22 also includes Nguyen Thai Son (250,000 euros) and young overseas Vietnamese defender Viktor Le (200,000 euros). This clearly proves the quality of youth training and the long-term investment strategy that Vietnamese football has pursued for years.

Conversely, Indonesia is competitive with Muhammad Ferrari and Kadek Arel also among the top ranks, reinforcing the view that the Vietnam-Indonesia clash at SEA Games 33 is not only about achievements but also a contest of player quality and commercial potential.

SEA Games 33 features 9 teams divided into 3 groups. Vietnam U22 is in Group B alongside Malaysia U22 and Laos U22—a group considered competitive yet manageable for coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad to advance.

After the first round, Malaysia U22 temporarily leads with 3 points and a +3 goal difference, while Vietnam U22 is second with the same 3 points but a +1 goal difference. Laos U22, having lost both matches, became the first team officially eliminated.

The race in Group B is heating up daily, and the match between Vietnam U22 and Malaysia U22 on December 11 will be decisive in determining the group winner—also serving as a crucial test of the true strength of the most valuable squad at this year’s SEA Games.

Transfer value is not the only measure of success, but clearly, with a group of players who are both resilient and highly regarded internationally, Vietnam U22 enters SEA Games 33 with a completely new status: stronger, more confident, and deserving of expectations for a breakthrough.