Ho Chi Minh City, 26 December 2025 – On the night of December 26, midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc was crowned Vietnam Golden Ball 2025, marking the third time he has claimed the country’s most prestigious individual football award, while Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy moved audiences to tears after finally fulfilling her long-held dream of winning the women’s Golden Ball.
Nguyen Hoang Duc completed a remarkable hat-trick of Vietnam Golden Ball titles at the 2025 awards gala, further cementing his status as one of the finest players of his generation. In addition to the top honor, Hoang Duc was also named Most Popular Player, an award voted for by fans. Speaking at the ceremony, he shared his emotions: “It is a great honor for me to attend the Vietnam Golden Ball gala for the third time and to win this prestigious award for the second time. I feel extremely proud and emotional. I would like to thank the expert council, my fellow players, and the journalists who voted for me. I am grateful to my former club The Cong Viettel for nurturing and developing me, and to Ninh Binh FC for always believing in me. I especially thank Mr. Nguyen Duc Thuy for always supporting me so I can continue to grow.”
Following his impressive surge in form at SEA Games 33, young forward Nguyen Dinh Bac finished second to claim the Vietnam Silver Ball, while his senior teammate at Hanoi Police FC, Nguyen Quang Hai, received the Bronze Ball. Dinh Bac also earned the Best Young Player award. Unable to attend the ceremony due to his duties with Vietnam U23 ahead of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, Dinh Bac sent a message from afar, expressing pride at finishing in the top three. He thanked Song Lam Nghe An for his development, Quang Nam FC for giving him opportunities at professional level, and coaches, teammates, and fans who have supported him throughout his journey.
In the women’s category, the spotlight belonged to Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, who enjoyed a standout year highlighted by her goal against Australia at the AFF Cup 2025 and her influential performances in Vietnam women’s run to the SEA Games 33 final, where she was controversially denied a legitimate goal. With a radiant smile and tear-filled eyes, Bich Thuy finally lifted the Vietnam Women’s Golden Ball, fulfilling a dream she had pursued for many years as a promise to her late father. Pham Hai Yen was awarded the Women’s Silver Ball, while 37-year-old midfielder Thuy Trang claimed the Bronze Ball after helping Vietnam win women’s futsal gold at SEA Games 33.
Overcome with emotion, Bich Thuy said: “I feel extremely honored, proud, and happy to receive this award today. I would like to thank the leaders and coaches, my parents for giving birth to me and allowing me to live with my passion, my teammates for creating historic football moments, Tao Dan Football Club for training me, Thai Nguyen club for helping me mature, and especially head coach Mai Duc Chung, who has always encouraged me. Most of all, I thank the fans for never turning their backs on women’s football. If my father can see me from above today, I want him to know that I am standing here. Thank you, Dad.”
The Vietnam Golden Ball 2025 gala not only honored outstanding individual achievements but also reflected a year filled with emotion, resilience, and pride for Vietnamese football.
Hong Minh
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