The Vietnam Golden Ball organizing committee announced the shortlist on the morning of 23/12. In the men's category, in addition to the two U23 players, three national team members, Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Hoang Duc, and Nguyen Quang Hai, were also named.

Nguyen Dinh Bac, a forward, and Tran Trung Kien, a goalkeeper, distinguished themselves with a successful year of competition. Both were crucial in helping Vietnam win the U23 Southeast Asian Championship and secure a spot in the 2026 U23 Asian Championship finals. Recently, this duo continued to shine, helping Vietnam U22 secure the SEA Games 33 gold medal in Thailand. Dinh Bac was explosive in attack, scoring three goals and assisting two. The forward from Nghe An also scored important goals for his club, Cong an Ha Noi, helping the team finish second in the V-League and reach the knockout stage of the Asian Cup C2. Trung Kien, standing at 1,92m, demonstrated solid play, accurate judgment, and timely interventions, contributing to important victories for the Vietnam U22 and U23 teams in 2025 tournaments. The 22-year-old goalkeeper also helped HAGL overcome challenges during critical moments in the V-League.

Forward Nguyen Dinh Bac celebrates the SEA Games 33 gold medal at Rajamangala Stadium, Thailand, on the evening of 18/12. *Duc Dong*

Among the other male nominees, Tien Linh, the 2024 Golden Ball winner, did not perform prominently for either the national team or his club in 2025. In contrast, Hoang Duc, honored in 2023, shone brightly, leading Ninh Binh to win the First Division title and then topping the V-League 2025-2026. Nguyen Quang Hai, a midfielder for Cong an Ha Noi, was nominated but did not stand out in 2025.

In the women's category, the five shortlisted players include: Huynh Nhu, Hai Yen, Bich Thuy, Van Su, and Thuy Trang. Tran Thi Thuy Trang is the reigning 2024 Golden Ball winner. In 2025, despite retiring from the national women's team, she made significant contributions to the Vietnam women's futsal team, which surprisingly won the SEA Games 33 gold medal. Additionally, the 37-year-old veteran helped TP HCM win the National Cup, where she was named the tournament's best player. Trang also helped TP HCM advance past the group stage and qualify for the AFC Champions League 2025-2026.

Bich Thuy excelled with the Vietnam national team, scoring 4 goals at the SEA Games. Had it not been for a referee error, disallowing a goal in the final against the Philippines, the 31-year-old midfielder might have helped the team win the SEA Games 33 gold medal. A setback for Bich Thuy was that her club, Thai Nguyen T&T, did not achieve high honors in domestic tournaments. Forward Pham Hai Yen also scored 4 goals at the SEA Games, tirelessly contributing to the national team in a leadership role. She also helped Ha Noi finish second in the national championship.

The Vietnam women's national team wins the SEA Games 33 silver medal at Chonburi Stadium, Thailand, on the evening of 17/12. *Duc Dong*

In the futsal Golden Ball category, the shortlisted nominees include: Da Hai, Doan Phat, Thinh Phat, Minh Quang, and goalkeeper Pham Van Tu.

The men's young player of the year award is a competition among U23 players such as: Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Dinh Bac, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, and Nguyen Hieu Minh.

The nominees for the women's young player category include: Ngoc Minh Chuyen, Hoang Van, Minh Anh, and Thanh Hieu. The best foreign player of the year award is a competition among 4 names: Leo Arthur, Alan Sebastiao, Caio Cesar, and goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang.

The 2025 Vietnam Golden Ball awards, organized by Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper, will be presented on the evening of 26/12 at Ben Thanh Theater, TP HCM.

Duc Dong