The Golden Trio: First-Time Winners Dazzle at 2024 Vietnam Golden Ball Awards

Nguyen Tien Linh, the striker, took home the Men’s Golden Ball, outshining Nguyen Hoang Duc and Pham Tuan Hai.

The 28-year-old, a previous winner of the Bronze Ball in 2021 and Silver Ball in 2022, added another feather to his cap. He achieved this feat by scoring eight goals in the 2023-24 V.League 1 season and an impressive four more in the 2024 ASEAN Championship, where Vietnam secured its third title.

Linh joined the Binh Duong FC youth academy at 12 and has been a loyal member ever since, recently celebrating his 100th goal for both club and country.

Hoang Duc, despite not clinching the Golden Ball, maintained his impressive record of being in the Top 3 for the fourth year running, joining the ranks of football legends Tran Cong Minh, Le Huynh Duc, and Le Cong Vinh.

Pham Tuan Hai, the striker, was a nominee for the second consecutive year.

The 37-year-old midfielder, Tran Thi Thuy Trang, clinched her first Women’s Golden Ball, an emotional victory after years of supporting her teammates from the sidelines.

“I used to be in the audience, cheering on my teammates as they received this prestigious award,” Trang reminisced.

“I’ve always dreamed of the day I would stand here and receive this highest honor, and today I’m fortunate enough to have made that dream come true.”

Trang was instrumental in Ho Chi Minh City’s national championship triumph and played a pivotal role in helping Vietnam secure the Southeast Asian women’s futsal title.

She made her debut for the Vietnamese women’s team at the age of 26 and has since then found the net seven times in 60 appearances.

In the futsal category, Nguyen Thinh Phat of Thai Son Nam shined, taking home the Futsal Golden Ball. His teammate, Nguyen Manh Dung, secured the Silver Ball, while Pham Van Tu of Thai Son Bac claimed the Bronze.

Other notable award recipients included Nam Dinh FC’s Nguyen Xuan Son (Rafaelson) as Best Foreign Player, Vu Thi Hoa of Phong Phu Ha Nam as Best Young Female Player, and Bui Vi Hao of Binh Duong FC as Best Young Male Player.

The Vietnam Golden Ball, organized by Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) newspaper and sponsored by the Vietnam Football Federation, has been an annual tradition since 1995.

Modeled after France Football magazine’s Ballon d’Or, the awards now span multiple categories, reflecting the growing popularity and influence of football in Vietnam.

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