The Vietnam Golden Ball Awards for 2024 were announced during a gala on February 26, 2024, hosted by the Sài Gòn Giải Phóng Newspaper in Ho Chi Minh City. This annual event honors the best performers in Vietnamese football, celebrating both male and female athletes as well as futsal players.
Nguyễn Tiến Linh, 26, from Becamex Bình Dương, was awarded the prestigious Golden Ball for men, marking his first accolade at this level. Linh's remarkable performance included scoring 11 goals across the V.League and the National Cup, contributing significantly to his club and the national team. He played a pivotal role in Vietnam's victory at the ASEAN Cup 2024, solidifying his status as one of the country's top strikers.
Competing against notable talents like Nguyễn Hoàng Đức from Viettel and Phạm Tuấn Hải from Hà Nội FC, Linh emerged victorious in the tightly contested category. Clouding the competition's legitimacy, Tiến Linh expressed his elation, stating, "It is a great honor and recognition for the hard work I’ve put in over the years." His consistent performance throughout the year set him apart, leading to his nomination among the top five contenders.
Meanwhile, Trần Thị Thùy Trang of TP Hồ Chí Minh I took home the Golden Ball for women, also the first time she achieved this honor. Thùy Trang's excellence was evident as she led her team to victory and helped the national women's futsal team secure the championship at the ASEAN Football Federation Women's Championship 2024. While her teammate, Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Ngân, won the Silver Ball, Dương Thị Vân from Than Khoáng Sản Việt Nam received the Bronze Ball.
The night was also significant for the futsal category, where Nguyễn Thịnh Phát claimed the Golden Ball award, reinforcing the sport's growing popularity. He had scored 16 goals during the national futsal championship, earning him the title of top scorer. The Silver Ball went to Nguyễn Mạnh Dũng and the Bronze Ball to Phạm Văn Tú, both from Thái Sơn Nam, showcasing the club's dominance.
The event featured various categories, with the organizers announcing the following results for the 2024 golden ball:
- Men's Golden Ball: Nguyễn Tiến Linh (Becamex Bình Dương) - Silver Ball: Nguyễn Hoàng Đức (Viettel) - Bronze Ball: Phạm Tuấn Hải (Hà Nội FC)
- Women's Golden Ball: Trần Thị Thùy Trang (TP Hồ Chí Minh I) - Silver Ball: Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Ngân (TP Hồ Chí Minh I) - Bronze Ball: Dương Thị Vân (Than Khoáng Sản Việt Nam)
- Futsal Golden Ball: Nguyễn Thịnh Phát (Thái Sơn Nam) - Silver Ball: Nguyễn Mạnh Dũng (Thái Sơn Nam) - Bronze Ball: Phạm Văn Tú (Thái Sơn Bắc)
- Best Young Male Player: Bùi Vĩ Hào (Becamex Bình Dương)
- Best Young Female Player: Vũ Thị Hoa (Phong Phú Hà Nam)
- Best Foreign Player: Rafaelson - Nguyễn Xuân Son (Thép Xanh Nam Định)
The Golden Ball awards are determined through careful selection conducted by sports journalists, trainers, team captains, and football experts. This year's competition highlighted the growth of Vietnamese football and the rising talents pushing the boundaries for future stars.