HAGL 'prodigy' in top 60 best young players in the world

As usual, every year The Guardian (UK) publishes a list of dozens of young players considered the best in the world. This year, Tran Gia Bao of Hoang Anh Gia Lai club was mentioned following the nomination of John Duerden, who has spent many years reporting on Southeast Asian football for international sports news sites.

This commentator introduced the young star of Vietnamese football: " Gia Bao became the youngest player to play and score in the V.League at the age of 16. Even before that, this versatile striker - who can play as a center forward or play a bit deeper - had made a strong impression and won over fans with his handsome appearance ."

Tran Gia Bao emerged as a potential prospect of Vietnamese football.

Tran Gia Bao was born in 2008 and made his V.League debut in the 2024/25 season when he was not yet 17 years old. He even scored in his first appearance for HAGL in Vietnam's number one tournament. This season, Gia Bao scored again in the National Cup in the match against Dong A Thanh Hoa . He is an irreplaceable pillar of the Vietnam U17 team in the 2025 U17 Asian Cup.

" Compared to Lamine Yamal by fans, he continues to play in Vietnam's top league. Gia Bao became the center of attention in September when he scored a goal that former international striker Nguyen Quang Hai described as European-class. Hopefully he will become the first Vietnamese player to really make his mark in Europe ," The Guardian newspaper optimistically said.

Another player who deserves attention on this list is Dro Fernandez. He was born in Spain to a Filipino mother. He still holds dual citizenship and is eligible to play for the Southeast Asian country.

In addition, a series of other famous young stars such as Ibrahim Mbaye (PSG), Jose Neto (Benfica), Toni Fernandez (Barcelona),... are all present.

Previously, Phan Thanh Hau (Becamex TP.HCM) and Le Dinh Long Vu (Song Lam Nghe An ) represented Vietnam and appeared on the list. However, both of these players could not break through as expected.

Mai Phuong

Vtcnews.vn

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/than-dong-hagl-lot-top-60-cau-thu-tre-xuat-sac-nhat-the-gioi-ar971204.html