Vietnam’s victory at the 2024 ASEAN Cup had already made the Vietnamese Golden Ball 2024 a competitive award. The situation, however, became even more unpredictable when Xuan Son, the standout star of the tournament, was only nominated in a different category.

The unpredictability of the award stems largely from Xuan Son's absence in the list of nominees for the most outstanding domestic player.

Xuan Son’s absence raises questions

The Vietnamese Golden Ball 2024, organized by SGGP newspaper, concluded its voting phase among industry experts on January 8.

Xuan Son, regarded by fans as an exceptional candidate for his contributions to the Vietnamese national team and his club throughout 2024, seemed like the clear favorite for the prestigious award.

However, as the organizers had announced earlier, Xuan Son - despite being a pivotal figure in Vietnam reclaiming the ASEAN Cup title - was excluded from the nominees for the Golden Ball due to a technicality.

At the time the nomination list was finalized, Xuan Son had not yet completed his naturalization process. As a result, he was only eligible for the Best Foreign Player category in this year’s award.

This unexpected exclusion has left the domestic Golden Ball race wide open, with no standout candidate clearly ahead of the pack.

Who are the contenders?

Before the ASEAN Cup 2024, Nguyen Tien Linh was considered the frontrunner for the Golden Ball based on his consistent performances and statistical achievements.

Tien Linh, who ranked as the second-highest scorer for Vietnam in the tournament, also performed admirably for his club Binh Duong during the 2023/2024 season and into the ongoing 2024/2025 season. His achievements made him the top contender for the award.

However, the dynamic shifted with the resurgence of Nguyen Hoang Duc. Hoang Duc, Vietnam’s most valuable player and the winner of the 2023 Golden Ball, returned to the spotlight with an impressive performance in the latter stages of the ASEAN Cup.

While Tien Linh remains unmatched in consistency and contributions to the national team, Hoang Duc benefits from a strong support network and professional backing, which could tilt the scales in his favor.

The winner of the Vietnamese Golden Ball 2024 will be revealed at the awards gala in February.

For now, the competition remains fiercely contested, with Xuan Son’s absence leaving a void that ensures no single player dominates the race.

Duy Nguyen