Tonight at 8:00 PM on December 26th, the Vietnam Golden Ball Awards 2025 will be held.
At 8:00 PM this evening (December 26), Ben Thanh Theater (Ho Chi Minh City) will become the focal point of national football as the Vietnam Golden Ball Gala 2025 is hosted there. After a spectacular year climaxing with the SEA Games 33 gold medal, this is the moment to honor the outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to the national colors and the growth of domestic football.
In the men's Golden Ball category, the competition is more intense than ever with a shortlist of five names. Notably, two young stars, Nguyen Dinh Bac and goalkeeper Trung Kien, are included among this elite group. However, a rather unfortunate news is that all representatives of Vietnam U22, including Dinh Bac and coach Kim Sang Sik, will be absent from tonight’s ceremony as they departed early morning to Qatar for training in preparation for the 2026 U23 Asian Championship.
The women’s Golden Ball category also features a fierce competition among familiar key players. Renowned names like Huynh Nhu, Bich Thuy, and Pham Hai Yen will face off against Tran Thi Thuy Trang, who holds a "double record" (champion in both football and futsal at the SEA Games), and the explosive Nguyen Thi Van Su. The consistency of these diamond girls presents a challenging puzzle for the voters this year.
Additionally, other categories attract significant attention from fans. In futsal, candidates such as Chau Doan Phat, Nguyen Thinh Phat, and Nguyen Da Hai stand out. Meanwhile, the best young player category (both male and female) highlights the strong rise of the new generation like Thanh Nhan, Dinh Bac, Ngoc Minh Chuyen, and Luu Hoang Van. The best foreign player race is also highly competitive with the presence of V-League "killers" like Leo Artur and Lucao.
Despite the absence of some young talents due to national duties, tonight’s Gala promises to be an emotional football celebration. It is not only a place to present prestigious individual awards but also an opportunity to reflect on a proud year for Vietnamese football, from regional glory to aspirations on the continental stage.