Hoang Duc aims to participate in the 2027 Asian Cup after winning the 2025 Ballon d'Or.
Following his remarkable achievement with Ninh Binh and the 2025 Golden Ball award, midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc affirmed that his biggest goal is to lead the Vietnamese national team to the 2027 Asian Cup finals.
A journey of triumph with Ninh Binh and a prestigious title.
At the end of 2025, midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc shared his emotional reflections on a year of ups and downs but also brilliant success. From the challenging early stages of the year, the star from Hai Duong concluded his journey with complete joy, winning the most prestigious individual award in Vietnamese football.
At the club level, Hoang Duc played a pivotal role in Ninh Binh's style of play, helping the team establish an impressive unbeaten streak. His consistent performance not only helped his team successfully gain promotion to the V.League but also affirmed his class as a top midfielder in controlling the tempo and initiating attacks. Despite some debates compared to the emergence of young talents, the 2025 Golden Ball award is still a well-deserved recognition of his composure and tactical thinking.
A burning desire to conquer the continental arena with the national team.
Despite receiving great recognition at both individual and club levels, Hoang Duc's biggest concern remains the national team. Throughout his career, the midfielder has twice missed out on the Asian Cup, leaving him with a sense of incompleteness in his international career.
The ultimate goal for the Ninh Binh star in the coming period is to help his teammates qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup Finals. His maturity in mindset and competitive spirit after a breakout year is expected to help Hoang Duc become a solid pillar for the Vietnamese national team in upcoming important international campaigns.
Opportunities arising from the AFC ruling
The door to continental competition is showing signs of opening wider for Vietnamese football. Currently, fans are awaiting the final ruling from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regarding Malaysia's personnel misconduct in the qualifiers. If their direct competitor is handed a 0-3 defeat, the Vietnamese national team will have a huge advantage in securing a place in the next round.
For Hoang Duc, the achievements he has made in 2025 are a crucial psychological springboard. He is showing high determination to fulfill his Asian Cup dream, thereby affirming his position in the next golden generation of Vietnamese football.
