The 2024 Vietnam Golden Ball Awards crowned three new winners, each earning the prestigious honor for the first time, at a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday evening.

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

The 28-year-old, who previously won the Bronze Ball in 2021 and the Silver Ball in 2022, reached the milestone after scoring eight goals in the 2023-24 V.League 1 season and four more in the 2024 ASEAN Championship, where Vietnam claimed its third title.

He joined the Binh Duong FC youth academy at age 12 and has been with the team ever since, recently marking 100 goals in his club and national team career.

Though Hoang Duc did not win the Golden Ball, he finished in the Top 3 for the fourth consecutive year, matching the record of former players Tran Cong Minh, Le Huynh Duc, and Le Cong Vinh.

Striker Pham Tuan Hai was nominated for the second year in a row.

Midfielder Tran Thi Thuy Trang, 37, won her first Women’s Golden Ball, an emotional victory after years of supporting her teammates on the podium.

“I used to sit there and support my teammates in winning this noble award," Trang said.

“I’ve always hoped that one day I would stand here to receive the highest honor, and today I’m lucky to have won it."

Trang played a key role in Ho Chi Minh City’s national championship victory and helped Vietnam secure the Southeast Asian women’s futsal title.

She made her debut for the Vietnamese women’s team at 26 and has since scored seven goals in 60 appearances.

Nguyen Thinh Phat of Thai Son Nam secured the Futsal Golden Ball, with teammate Nguyen Manh Dung earning the Silver Ball and Pham Van Tu of Thai Son Bac taking Bronze.

Other award winners 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.

Organized by Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) newspaper and sponsored by the Vietnam Football Federation, the Vietnam Golden Ball has been awarded annually since 1995.

Modeled after France Football magazine’s Ballon d’Or, it now honors players across multiple categories, reflecting the sport’s growing influence in Vietnam.

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