Binh Duong, 23 June, 2025 – Nguyen Tien Linh concluded the V.League 1 – 2024/2025 season as joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Alan Sebastiao of Hanoi Police FC and Lucao of Hai Phong, each finishing with 14 goals.
In the final round on June 22, Tien Linh netted the only goal in Binh Duong’s 1-0 win over Thanh Hoa to draw level with Alan and Lucao, both of whom failed to score in Hanoi Police FC’s 2-0 win over Hai Phong. Notably, Alan reached his tally in just 18 matches, compared to 25 games played by both Tien Linh and Lucao. Alan also led the trio in assists with four, while Tien Linh and Lucao each had three.
Tien Linh becomes only the fourth Vietnamese player to win or share the Golden Boot since the league adopted the V.League branding in 2000. He joins the ranks of Dang Dao (11 goals in 2000-01), Ho Van Loi (9 goals in 2001-02), and Nguyen Anh Duc (17 goals in 2017).
Reflecting on the milestone, Tien Linh said, “This title gives me great motivation for the future. Although Binh Duong had some rough patches, we stayed united and finished seventh.”
The 2024 Vietnamese Golden Ball winner still has work to do this season. He will lead Binh Duong in the National Cup semi-final against Song Lam Nghe An on June 26, aiming to bring the final home to Binh Duong. The other semi-final will see Hanoi Police FC face The Cong.
Tien Linh’s season included a standout stretch where he scored five goals in two matches, including two stunning free-kick braces. He now has 64 career V.League goals, ranking him among the league’s most prolific strikers. He trails just behind fellow Vietnamese striker Nguyen Xuan Son (65) and is chasing legends like Pape Omar (77), Gonzalo and Timothy (79 each), Oseni (83), Nguyen Anh Duc (93), Antonio Carlos (95), Huynh Kesley Alves (98), Le Cong Vinh (116), Nguyen Van Quyet (121), Do Merlo (147), and all-time top scorer Hoang Vu Samson (223).
V.League 2024-2025 also marked the first time in history that three players shared the Golden Boot. The league had previously seen dual top scorers on four occasions — in 2009, 2013, 2019, and 2020.
Among Vietnamese players, Nguyen Xuan Son (Nam Dinh) and Nguyen Van Quyet (Hanoi FC) also finished in the top 10 with seven goals each. Despite missing most of the season due to injury, Son still led Nam Dinh in scoring. The champions had 17 different goal scorers and finished with the best attacking record (51 goals) and best defense (18 goals conceded), underscoring their all-around dominance.
As speculation swirls about his future, Tien Linh remains committed. “I can’t predict what lies ahead, but as long as I wear the Binh Duong jersey, I’ll give everything I have,” he affirmed.
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