Nguyen Hoang Duc scores a hat-trick of Vietnamese Golden Ball awards.
Midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc officially made history with his third Golden Ball award, earning special respect from Thai football fans.
The Vietnam Golden Ball Gala 2025, held on the evening of December 26th, witnessed a new historical milestone for Vietnamese football. Nguyen Hoang Duc, a midfielder currently playing for Ninh Binh FC, was once again named the winner of the most prestigious award. This marks the third time in his career that the player born in 1998 has won this title, following wins in 2021 and 2023, affirming his status as one of the most talented midfielders Vietnamese football has ever produced.
The dominance of the elegant midfielder
Hoang Duc's victory in this year's awards was considered convincing, despite facing fierce competition from his colleagues. Young striker Dinh Bac finished second with the Silver Ball, while Nguyen Quang Hai received the Bronze Ball. However, his influence on the game and his ability to maintain consistent performance earned Hoang Duc the complete trust of the voting delegates.
With his third Golden Ball, Hoang Duc has officially joined the "hall of legends" of Vietnamese football, equaling the illustrious senior players in terms of the number of awards won. This achievement is not only a recognition of a breakout year but also proof of the enduring class of the midfielder wearing jersey number 14.
The craze has spread to the Land of the Golden Pagodas.
Notably, Hoang Duc's success not only attracted domestic media attention but also generated a lively discussion in Thailand. On regional football forums, Thai fans showered the Vietnamese midfielder with enthusiastic praise. Many opinions suggested that Hoang Duc is a rare name in Vietnamese football with the skill level to make regional opponents wary whenever they face him.
"This guy has tormented the Thai defense many times, so I'm quite impressed. Congratulations!", a Thai fan shared. This recognition from the region's biggest rival shows that Hoang Duc's brand value and professional class have transcended the borders of Vietnam.
The appeal of strategic thinking and ideal physique.
Besides his exceptional ball-handling skills, Hoang Duc's physique has also become a topic of curiosity for Thai fans. At 1.84 meters tall, he possesses a rare advantage in tackling for a talented midfielder in Southeast Asia. Some Thai fans have even speculated about a dream partnership in the region: "I know this player, he plays very confidently. If our Ben Davis teamed up with Hoang Duc, they would definitely be the number one midfield duo in Southeast Asia."
In fact, many have expressed a desire to see the 1998-born midfielder move to the Thai League to play alongside stars like Chanathip Songkrasin. These comments demonstrate the irresistible appeal of the current Vietnamese Golden Ball winner to experts and international fans.
The 2025 Vietnamese Golden Ball award is not only a personal milestone but also an affirmation of Nguyen Hoang Duc's position in the history of Vietnamese football. With his talent and recognition from even the biggest rivals, he continues to be the number one hope for Vietnamese football in achieving future heights.
