Vietnam Golden Ball 2025: Hoàng Đức and Đình Bắc in a two-horse race

26/12/2025 06:49:00 GameGladiator

The award ceremony will be held tonight (December 26) at Bến Thành Theater (Ho Chi Minh City), and in the most prestigious category, the 2025 Vietnam Men's Golden Ball appears to be narrowing down to a two-way contest between Nguyễn Hoàng Đức and Nguyễn Đình Bắc.

One represents stability, perseverance, and established class over many years, while the other embodies youth, passion, and a fresh wave of hope.

With several familiar faces missing from this year’s Top 5, this competition is not just about individual accolades but also vividly reflects the image and movement of Vietnamese football following a notably successful 2025 for youth football.

The 2025 Men's Golden Ball shortlist quickly sparked vibrant debates. Although Quang Hải, Tiến Linh, and goalkeeper Trung Kiên are included, experts and fans are widely speculating that the highest honor will likely belong to either Hoàng Đức or Đình Bắc. The distinction lies in how each left their mark over the past year, as well as the symbolic significance both bring to Vietnamese football at different times.

For Nguyễn Hoàng Đức, 2025 continues to be a journey affirming his position as a top central midfielder. Wearing the Ninh Bình jersey, Hoàng Đức played the soul role in helping the ancient Hoa Lư team win the First Division, thereby securing promotion to the V-League.

Not stopping there, entering the 2025/26 season, Ninh Bình continues to surprise by leading the standings with a lengthy unbeaten streak, regarded as one of the most impressive unbeaten runs at the club level in Asia this year. Hoàng Đức has scored 5 goals, leading the domestic top scorers list. The 27-year-old is not only the playmaker but also the team's emotional leader, maintaining the tempo for the whole squad, and this season promises to be a breakthrough year for Hoàng Đức in scoring.

On the national team, Hoàng Đức’s role under coach Kim Sang Sik remains positive. The ASEAN Cup victory earlier this year and the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers also demonstrated the consistent performance of the midfielder born in 1998. Hoàng Đức is a strong contender, especially in the eyes of experts and voters who value longevity and consider the entire career.

The intense competition among candidates for the 2025 Golden Ball is a positive sign for Vietnamese football. Photo: Tuấn Phạm

Conversely, Nguyễn Đình Bắc represents emotion and explosive talent. The latter half of 2025 saw the 2004-born striker flourish strongly in the U22/U23 Vietnam team. The CAHN player was a key factor in helping U23 Vietnam win the Southeast Asian U23 Championship for the third consecutive time before securing the gold medal at SEA Games 33 on Thai soil with the U22 squad.

Beyond regional titles, Đình Bắc also helped U23 Vietnam qualify for the 2026 U23 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia. At 21, the 2004-born striker not only scores but also shows bravery, confidence, and the ability to create decisive moments.

This performance convinced coach Kim Sang Sik to give Đình Bắc a chance on the national team, opening the door for him to enter bigger stages in the near future.

The emotional aspect is also a significant advantage for Đình Bắc. Success at SEA Games 33 brought joy and pride to millions of fans, coinciding perfectly with the expert voting period.

Đình Bắc gained considerable influence as the race reached a turning point. Moreover, selecting Đình Bắc could encourage the new generation of Vietnamese football to look forward. Vietnamese football has not seen a "young hero" since the era of Văn Quyến, Công Vinh (Golden Ball winner at 19), or Thành Lương, Quang Hải (Golden Ball winners at 21).

A promising name among this year’s Top 3 according to experts is Nguyễn Quang Hải, Đình Bắc’s teammate at CAHN. The CAHN captain has won the national cup and super cup double and has impressed across various competitions.

The other two are Trần Trung Kiên and Nguyễn Tiến Linh. Tiến Linh made the Top 5 thanks to his national team achievements and ranking as the second top scorer in the 2024/25 V-League (after Alan (CAHN) and Lucao (Hải Phòng)). Trung Kiên is the number one goalkeeper for HAGL and Vietnam’s U22/U23 teams, showing potential and a strong will to improve.

Vietnam Golden Ball 2025: Đình Bắc and the chance for a double

Experts have recognized Trung Kiên’s quiet contributions. However, goalkeepers often face disadvantages in individual awards where goals and emotions usually dominate.

The 2025 Vietnam Golden Ball race may become a showdown between two generations and two values. The final result will be announced at tonight’s award gala (December 26) at Bến Thành Theater (Ho Chi Minh City).

Regardless of the winner, this year’s award reflects a positive sign for a football scene with solid foundations and promising young talents for the future.

2025 Vietnam Golden Ball Nominee List

- Top 5 Men’s Golden Ball: Nguyễn Đình Bắc, Nguyễn Quang Hải (CAHN), Nguyễn Tiến Linh (Becamex Bình Dương/Ho Chi Minh City Police), Nguyễn Hoàng Đức (Ninh Bình), Trần Trung Kiên (HAGL).

- Top 5 Women’s Golden Ball: Phạm Hải Yến, Ngân Thị Vạn Sự (Hà Nội), Trần Thị Thuỳ Trang, Huỳnh Như (Ho Chi Minh City), Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy (Thái Nguyên T&T).

- Top 5 Futsal Golden Ball: Nguyễn Đa Hải, Từ Minh Quang, Phạm Văn Tú (Thái Sơn Bắc), Châu Đoàn Phát, Nguyễn Thịnh Phát (Thái Sơn Nam Ho Chi Minh City).

- Top 3 Best Foreign Players: Leo Artur, Alan Grafite (CAHN), Patrik Lê Giang (Ho Chi Minh City Police).

- Top 3 Best Young Male Players: Nguyễn Hiểu Minh (PVF CAND), Nguyễn Đình Bắc (CAHN), Lê Văn Thuận (Thanh Hóa).

- Top 3 Best Young Female Players: Ngọc Minh Chuyên (Thái Nguyên T&T), Lưu Hoàng Vân (Phong Phú Hà Nam), Nguyễn Thị Minh Ánh (Than Khoáng Sản Vietnam).

After an 8-year pause, the organizing committee will present the Most Popular Player of 2025 award, voted by fans through digital platforms, during tonight’s Gala event.

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