In a glamorous gala held at Ben Thanh Theatre in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, forward Nguyen Tien Linh was honored with the prestigious Vietnamese Golden Ball 2024 award, edging out his close friend Nguyen Hoang Duc for the silver and striker Pham Tuan Hai for the bronze. This accolade is a testament to Tien Linh’s relentless work ethic and determination, especially considering the setbacks he experienced early in his career. Once forced to miss the 2018 U-23 Asian Cup due to a severe injury—and later receiving treatment in Singapore under Becamex Binh Duong’s care—Tien Linh made a remarkable comeback, scoring 15 goals in the 2018 V-League.
Since that turning point, the striker born in 1997 has continuously refined his skills to become one of the top forwards in Vietnamese football. In 2024 alone, Tien Linh registered 23 goals for both Becamex Binh Duong and the Vietnam national team, including a crucial four-goal performance during the AFF Cup 2024 championship. His impressive form has not only bolstered his club’s campaign but has also earned him a place at the top of the V-League 2024–2025 scoring charts, where he currently leads with 10 goals—including a notable scoring streak in his last three matches.
During the award ceremony, an emotional Tien Linh took to the stage to express his heartfelt gratitude:
“First, I would like to sincerely thank the fans and everyone who voted for me and has supported me throughout this journey. I am also deeply grateful to my family, who have always stood by my side and encouraged me during difficult times. For years, I have had the honor of representing the national team in our pursuit of many AFF Cup and SEA Games titles, but my family could only watch from afar on television. Today, having them here to witness me receive the Vietnamese Golden Ball 2024 is incredibly special. I extend my thanks to the leadership of Becamex IDC Group, Becamex Binh Duong, my teammates, and the national team—without all of you, I would not be standing here.”
The award, regarded as one of the highest individual honors in Vietnamese football, was also lauded by the captain of Becamex Binh Duong, who shared, “I am truly grateful to the organizers of the Vietnamese Golden Ball program. It gives players like us extra motivation to fight and contribute to our club and to the development of Vietnamese football. This award is a tremendous encouragement as we set our sights on future goals with both Becamex Binh Duong and the national team.”
At this stage of his career, Tien Linh has amassed a remarkable 102 professional goals—77 of which were scored for Becamex Binh Duong—and has added another 25 goals for the national team. His consistency, resilience, and ability to overcome early career obstacles have not only made him a key figure on the field but have also earned him widespread admiration among fans and peers alike.
As he continues to lead the scoring charts and build on his impressive track record in domestic and international competitions, Nguyen Tien Linh’s journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring footballers throughout Vietnam. With his sights set on further success and new challenges ahead, the Vietnamese Golden Ball 2024 stands as a milestone that encapsulates his unwavering commitment to excellence and his significant contributions to the sport.
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