10 Vietnamese Golden Ball most favourite players: Ronaldinho’s copy and Vietnam’s Messi included

The history of the Vietnamese Golden Ball is a saga of passion and national pride. Officially initiated in 1995 by the Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper, the award was established to honor the individual excellence of players who have made the most significant contributions to Vietnamese football throughout a calendar year. 

The criteria for the winner extend beyond goals and assists, they encompass sportsmanship, leadership, and the ability to inspire a nation. The first man to ever hold the Golden Ball was the legendary striker Le Huynh Duc, then representing the Police of Ho Chi Minh City.

As we look at the current landscape, the most recent recipient of the title is midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc. Following a spectacular season with Ninh Binh FC and the National Team, particularly his pivotal role in securing the ASEAN Cup title in early 2025, Hoang Duc stood on the podium for the third time in his career (2021, 2023, 2025). 

Despite this hat-trick of trophies, he is not the record holder for the most Golden Balls, nor is he unilaterally the most loved. The flow of Vietnamese football history is rich with geniuses who ignited the flames of fans' hearts in unique ways. Join Nowgoalpro as we explore the Vietnamese Golden Ball most favourite player of all time through this detailed retrospective.

Top 10 Vietnamese Golden Ball most favourite player of all time

10. Nguyen Anh Duc 

Anh Duc won his sole Golden Ball in 2015 while playing for Binh Duong FC, a year where he led his club to a historic V-League and National Cup double. Over a career spanning from 2006 to 2019 with Binh Duong, and later at HAGL and Long An, he scored over 100 club goals. His defining moment came at age 33, when his volley secured the 2018 AFF Cup title for Vietnam. Known for his disciplined lifestyle and business acumen, Anh Duc retired in 2022 and is currently a professional coach.

9. Phan Van Tai Em 

Ranked ninth is Tai Em, the epitome of "peasant" sincerity and world-class skill. Winning the Golden Ball in 2005, Tai Em was the heartbeat of Dong Tam Long An during their 2005-2006 championship era. With 10 goals in 80 appearances for the national team, his tireless work rate earned him the captain's armband and the 2008 AFF Cup. After retiring in 2016 at Long An, he moved into coaching, remaining a respected figure for his unwavering ethics.

8. Tran Cong Minh 

Cong Minh, the only defender to win the award. In 1999, his tactical intelligence and overlapping runs for Dong Thap FC and the national team were so superior that he eclipsed star strikers to take the gold. A two-time national champion, Minh earned 41 caps between 1995 and 2000. Now a coach, his legacy as a "gentleman defender" remains a blueprint for youth academies.

7. Nguyen Minh Phuong 

The 2010 Golden Ball winner was a master of the dead ball. It was his precise free-kick in 2008 that set up the championship-winning goal. With a record-breaking transfer to Dong Tam Long An in 2002 and 73 caps for the national team, Minh Phuong’s humility and vision made him a fan favorite. 

6. Nguyen Van Quyet 

Winning in 2020 and 2022, Van Quyet proved that longevity is a form of genius. With 5 V-League titles and over 150 goals for Hanoi FC since 2011, he is a domestic legend. Despite polarized opinions, his dedication to the national team (AFF Cup 2018 winner) and his leadership in the capital have cemented his status. He continues to lead Hanoi FC today.

5. Nguyen Quang Hai 

Entering the top 5, Quang Hai is the "Golden Boy" of the modern era. His 2018 Golden Ball came after the "rainbow in the snow" at the U23 Asian Cup and an AFF Cup victory. Known for his magical left foot, Hai has scored 10 goals for the senior team and won multiple V-League titles with Hanoi FC before moving to CAHN. 

4. Nguyen Hong Son 

Fourth place goes to the "Sonninho" of Vietnam. The 1998 and 2000 winner was a magician in the colors of The Cong. Coach Dido famously said Son could have thrived in Brazil. With his technical dribbling, he won the Tiger Cup 1998 "Best Player" award. After retiring as a Major in the Army, he now inspires millions through football reality shows and coaching.

3. Pham Thanh Luong 

He holds the historic record of 4 Golden Balls (2009, 2011, 2014, 2016). Despite his small stature, his "weird" left foot dominated the V-League for Hanoi ACB and Hanoi FC. A champion of the 2008 AFF Cup, Lương’s loyalty and modesty are legendary. He retired in 2023 to pursue coaching, leaving a record that may take decades to break.

2. Le Cong Vinh 

In second place is Cong Vinh, the most prolific scorer in national history with 51 goals. Winning the Golden Ball in 2004, 2006, and 2007, Vinh’s career took him from SLNA to Hanoi T&T and even to Portugal and Japan. His 2008 championship-winning header is the most replayed moment in Vietnamese history. 

1. Le Huynh Duc 

At number 1, we return to the pioneer Huynh Duc. The 3-time winner (1995, 1997, 2002) was the first true superstar. A powerhouse for Cong An TP.HCM, he was the first Vietnamese player to play abroad (in China). With nearly 30 goals for the national team and a persona that transcended the sport, Huynh Duc is the "king" of the golden generation. Now a veteran manager in the V-League, his influence on the game remains unparalleled.

10 Vietnamese Golden Ball most favourite players: 

Nguyen Anh Duc 

Phan Van Tai Em 

Tran Cong Minh 

Nguyen Minh Phuong

Nguyen Van Quyet

Nguyen Quang Hai

Nguyen Hong Son

Pham Thanh Luong

Le Cong Vinh

Le Huynh Duc 

This list by Nowgoalpro.net has highlighted the Vietnamese golden ball most favourite player of all time. Do you agree with our ranking?

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