What did Thanh Nhàn say when she was nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or?
Nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, Nguyen Thanh Nhan calls it a 'stepping stone and motivation'. He contributed to helping the Vietnam U23 team qualify for the U23 Asian Championship, joined the national team in October, and is about to train in China for the 33rd SEA Games.
On November 6th, Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper announced the list of nominees for the 2025 Vietnam Golden Ball Award. In the men's Golden Ball category, many U23 players appeared, including striker Nguyen Thanh Nhan of PVF-CAND. Sharing his thoughts on this honor, Thanh Nhan emphasized that it is a "stepping stone and motivation" to maintain his form and go further.
Thanh Nhàn responds to the nomination for the 2025 Vietnamese Golden Ball award.
"Being nominated for the Golden Ball is very valuable. This is a stepping stone and motivation for me to maintain my form and go further in my journey ahead. I am still a young player, and there are many things I need to improve, especially in terms of technical skills and competitive spirit," Thanh Nhàn shared.
The statement from the number 11 striker reveals his approach to the challenge: viewing the nomination as a new benchmark, while simultaneously setting himself the goal of upgrading both his skills and his mental fortitude.
Journey to 2025: From the U23 Asian Championship to the Vietnam National Team
In 2025, Thanh Nhàn consistently featured in important youth football tournaments in Vietnam. He contributed to helping the Vietnam U23 team qualify for the U23 Asian Championship, a milestone demonstrating his progress and readiness for crucial matches.
In October, Thanh Nhàn was one of eight young players promoted to the Vietnamese national team by coach Kim Sang Sik. This was a crucial step forward, requiring him to adapt to a higher pace and standard.
Impact on PVF-CAND and immediate tasks
At the club level, PVF-CAND has just experienced a series of disappointing results. Thanh Nhàn admitted that the team has "learned a lot, both professionally and in terms of fighting spirit," emphasizing the spirit of bouncing back after each underwhelming match: "We have also learned from our mistakes and overcome our shortcomings. We all hold hands to overcome difficulties and work together to achieve better results."
Looking ahead, PVF-CAND will face The Cong Viettel in Round 11 of the V-League. Meanwhile, Thanh Nhan is training with the U22 Vietnam team in China, preparing for the 33rd SEA Games. With such a packed schedule, managing his fitness and maintaining focus will be key to translating his motivation from nomination into effective performance on the field.
Key milestones for 2025
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 06/11 | The list of nominees for the 2025 Vietnam Golden Ball Award has been announced; Thanh Nhàn is included in the men's Golden Ball category. |
| 2025 | Contributing to helping the Vietnam U23 team qualify for the U23 Asian Championship. |
| October | He was promoted to the Vietnamese national team by coach Kim Sang Sik along with seven other young players. |
| Upcoming | Join the Vietnam U22 team for training in China, in preparation for the 33rd SEA Games. |
| Prior to the training session | PVF-CAND plays against The Cong Viettel in Round 11 of the V-League. |
Professional perspective: Motivation comes with responsibility.
The Ballon d'Or nomination is not just recognition for a year of progress; it also places Thanh Nhàn before new expectations. For a young striker, the demanding schedule of playing time at both club and national team levels requires the ability to maintain consistent form and composure under high pressure. What he emphasizes – “professionalism” and “competitive spirit” – are the two key pillars to transforming the nomination into a career leap.
With PVF-CAND needing points and the U22 Vietnam team preparing for the SEA Games, Thanh Nhàn's role is not only crucial in decisive situations on the field but also in spreading positive energy in the locker room – something he and the team have mentioned after a series of disappointing results. From nominations to opportunities in the national team, and then the constant pressure of competition: Thanh Nhàn's future in 2025 is a comprehensive test of his maturity.
