Vietnam Golden Ball Nominations: HAGL's 1.91m Goalkeeper on the List, Xuan Son Misses

The list of nominees for the 2025 Vietnam Golden Ball Award for male players has 23 names. HAGL’s 1.91m young goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien is also on the list. Meanwhile, Nguyen Xuan Son did not appear.

The press conference to announce the Vietnam Golden Ball 2025 award took place on the morning of November 6 at the Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper office. This year's award includes 14 categories: Golden, Silver, Bronze Ball for men; Golden, Silver, Bronze Ball for women; Golden, Silver, Bronze Ball for futsal (men); Outstanding Foreign Player, Outstanding Young Male Player, Outstanding Young Female Player; Dedication Award; Most Popular Player.

Why is Nguyen Xuan Son not on the nomination list?

The list of nominees for the most prestigious award category - the men's golden ball includes 23 names: Truong Tien Anh, Bui Tien Dung, Khuat Van Khang (The Cong Viettel Club), Nguyen Dinh Bac, Nguyen Filip, Vu Van Thanh, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, Nguyen Quang Hai (Hanoi Police Club), Nguyen Thanh Chung, Pham Tuan Hai, Nguyen Hai Long, Do Duy Manh (Hanoi Club), Nguyen Hoang Duc, Dang Van Lam (Ninh Binh Club), Tran Trung Kien (HAGL), Nguyen Tien Linh (Becamex Ho Chi Minh City Club/Ho Chi Minh City Police Club), Nguyen Hieu Minh, Nguyen Thanh Nhan (PVF-CAND Club), Nguyen Dinh Trieu (Hai Phong Club), Trieu Viet Hung (Hai Phong Club), Tran Nguyen Manh, Lam Ti Phong, Nguyen Van Vi ( Nam Dinh Club).

The announcement ceremony of the Vietnam Golden Ball Award 2025 took place on the morning of November 6.

PHOTO: HA PHUONG

At the press conference, journalists/reporters asked the organizers about the absence of Nguyen Xuan Son in the nomination list for the 2025 Men's Golden Ball award.

VFF representative - Vice President Tran Anh Tu said: "Xuan Son was injured in the first half of the AFF Cup 2024 final (January 2025 - PV). Xuan Son contributed greatly to the championship of the Vietnamese team, but he did not participate in any tournament in 2025. Therefore, it is a bit forced to include Xuan Son in the list of nominees for the titles. Xuan Son was called up to the Vietnamese team this time and could play in the match against Laos, but could only play in 1 match. In 2026, if Xuan Son continues to play well, he will definitely be on the list of nominees for the Vietnam Golden Ball".

When will the Vietnam Golden Ball Awards 2025 take place?

In November, the organizing committee will send invitations to participate in voting for the award along with a list of candidates to delegates, who are football experts, coaches of national teams, coaches, captains of clubs competing in the V-League, women's football clubs, futsal clubs, colleagues representing press and television agencies across the country.

The 2025 Vietnam Golden Ball Award ceremony is expected to take place in December 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Acting Editor-in-Chief of Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper, Head of the Organizing Committee Nguyen Khac Van spoke at the announcement ceremony.

PHOTO: HA PHUONG

VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu

PHOTO: HA PHUONG

To increase the spread of the 2025 Vietnam Golden Ball award to a large number of fans, this year, the "Most Favorite Player" award will be voted for through an online survey on the MoMo application. The voting period is from December 9 to 22, 2025 (at the same time as the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand). Along with the "Most Favorite Player" vote, the organizing committee will combine to organize a "mini game" with 30 gifts for fans with the most correct predictions. Detailed information will be announced in the near future.

Within the framework of the Vietnam Golden Ball Award 2025, Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper also introduced the meaningful and humane program "Warm clothes to school" initiated and organized by the newspaper with the aim of taking care of poor children in remote, mountainous and especially difficult areas, who often have to deal with unusual weather, cold season, dry season, and stormy season. In particular, every year, Vietnamese sports and football stars will join hands and contribute to complete this mission with Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper.

List of nominations for the remaining categories

Women's Golden Ball: Khong Thi Hang (Vietnam Coal and Minerals), Nguyen Thi Truc Huong (Vietnam Coal and Minerals), Chuong Thi Kieu (HCMC), Hoang Thi Loan ( Hanoi ), Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha (Hanoi), Huynh Nhu (HCMC), Ngan Thi Van Su (Hanoi), Tran Thi Thu Thao (HCMC), Tran Thi Kim Thanh (Thai Nguyen T&T), Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy (Thai Nguyen T&T), Tran Thi Thuy Trang (HCMC), Nguyen Thi Van (Vietnam Coal and Minerals), Pham Hai Yen (Hanoi).

Golden ball for men's futsal: Vu Ngoc Anh (Thai Son Bac), Nguyen Manh Dung (Thai Son Nam Ho Chi Minh City), Nguyen Da Hai (Thai Son Bac), Nhan Gia Hung (Thai Son Nam Ho Chi Minh City), Tran Quang Nguyen (Thai Son Bac), Chau Doan Phat (Thai Son Nam Ho Chi Minh City), Nguyen Thinh Phat (Thai Son Nam Ho Chi Minh City), Tu Minh Quang (Thai Son Bac), Pham Van Tu (Thai Son Bac), Dinh Cong Vien (Thai Son Nam Ho Chi Minh City).

Outstanding foreign players: Leonardo Artur (Hanoi Police), Caio Cesar (Nam Dinh Green Steel), Patrik Le Giang (Ho Chi Minh City Police), Pedro Henrique (The Cong Viettel), Lucao – Goncalves Silva Lucas Vinicisus (Hai Phong/The Cong Viettel), Adou Minh (Ha Tinh/Hanoi Police), Lucas Ribamar (Thanh Hoa), Alan Sebastiao (Hanoi Police).

Outstanding young male player (U.21): Nguyen Dinh Bac (Hanoi Police), Cao Van Binh (SLNA), Nguyen Hieu Minh (PVF-CAND), Nguyen Ngoc My (Thanh Hoa), Nguyen Le Phat (PVF/Ninh Binh), Nguyen Cong Phuong (The Cong Viettel), Le Van Thuan (Thanh Hoa).

Outstanding young female players (U.21): Nguyen Thi Minh Anh (Phong Phu Ha Nam), Ngoc Minh Chuyen (Thai Nguyen T&T), Ngan Thi Thanh Hieu (Phong Phu Ha Nam), Tran Nhat Lan (Than Khoang San Viet Nam), Ta Thi Hong Minh (Phong Phu Ha Nam), Nguyen Ngo Thao Nguyen (Thai Nguyen T&T), Le Thi Thu (Phong Phu Ha Nam), Luu Hoang Van (Phong Phu Ha Nam), Le Hong Yeu (Phong Phu Ha Nam).

The 30th season of the awards

The Vietnam Golden Ball Award - National Brand , initiated and organized by Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper since 1995, has become a particularly important event in the country's football life.

The award not only honors the contributions of many generations of talented football players, but also becomes a driving force and aspiration for all other players. In 2025, the Vietnam Golden Ball Award enters its 30th award season, continuing to receive the affection, love and trust of football officials, experts, coaches, players and fans nationwide.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/de-cu-qua-bong-vang-viet-nam-thu-mon-191-m-cua-hagl-co-ten-vang-bong-xuan-son-185251106113350636.htm