Nguyen Dinh Bac has reached the final round of voting for the Vietnam Golden Ball 2025, competing against seasoned stars Hoang Duc, Tien Linh, and Quang Hai. The big question is whether the 22-year-old striker can “dethrone” his seniors.

A well-deserved nomination

Dinh Bac’s appearance in the final five is hardly surprising, given his remarkable contributions throughout the 2025 season.

The year has been a turning point in his career. As a key player under coach Kim Sang Sik, Dinh Bac helped Vietnam’s U23 team win both the Southeast Asian U23 Championship and the SEA Games 33 gold medal.

These victories were not only about trophies but also about character  -  moments when the young Vietnamese side showed composure under pressure.

Dinh Bac continued his strong form at the club level, featuring consistently for CAHN FC in both the V-League and international tournaments such as the Southeast Asian Champions Cup and the AFC Champions League Two.

Given his performances across multiple competitions, Dinh Bac’s inclusion among the top five is fully justified  -  not as a token “new face,” but as a player who has delivered tangible results and real value for his teams.

From deserving candidate to champion?

Still, there is a long way from “deserving to be shortlisted” to actually winning the top individual honor.

Traditionally, Vietnam’s highest football awards favor players who make the strongest impression at national team level, where competition, pressure, and influence are at their peak.

When compared to Hoang Duc or Quang Hai, who remain key pillars of the national squad that won the ASEAN Cup, Dinh Bac’s achievements - though impressive - mostly came in youth competitions.

Moreover, tournaments like the Southeast Asian U23 Championship and SEA Games, while important, are still youth-level events where Vietnam often enjoys a competitive edge.

Each campaign also involves fewer matches  -  typically just four games  -  making it difficult to compare with senior national or club-level achievements.

By contrast, senior players like Hoang Duc exert influence both at club level and for the national team, showing consistency and leadership that set them apart.

Even so, Dinh Bac still has a genuine shot at glory. Voter sentiment can sometimes play an emotional role, as seen in the case of goalkeeper Trung Kien, who made the top five despite a modest club season with struggling HAGL.

That precedent leaves the door open for Dinh Bac. If emotional factors tip the balance, the young forward could yet clinch his first Golden Ball.

Regardless of the outcome, making the top five already marks a major step forward in his career. Winning the Silver Ball would be well within reach  -  though taking home the top prize would be both difficult and, perhaps, delightfully surprising.

Duy Nguyen