Vietnamese prodigy sparks excitement across Southeast Asia by making top 60 worldwide

Gia Bảo stands as the sole Southeast Asian footballer featured in The Guardian’s list of 60 promising young players.

On the evening of October 14, The Guardian (UK) revealed its “Next Generation 2025” list – showcasing the top 60 most promising young talents globally. Trần Gia Bảo, a player from Hoàng Anh Gia Lai club, is the only representative from Southeast Asia on this list.

The article, written by veteran journalist John Duerden, portrays him as a “shining gem” gradually emerging in Vietnamese football. According to The Guardian, Gia Bảo became the youngest player ever to appear and score in V.League 1 (2024/25 season) at just 16 years old – a historic milestone for Vietnamese football.

Previously, this versatile attacking player attracted attention with his technical skills, agile movement, and confident demeanor on the pitch. Not only outstanding among his peers, Gia Bảo continued to prove himself in domestic competitions with daring maneuvers and impressive goals.

Most recently, Gia Bảo was part of Vietnam’s U17 national team at the 2025 AFC U17 Championship, making an impact by scoring in a 1-1 draw against the strong U17 Japan team. Earlier, he also impressed wearing the U16 Vietnam jersey, helping the team to a 3-0 win over U16 Uzbekistan and a 1-0 victory against U17 Japan at the 2024 CFA U16 Team China Tournament held in China.

Being included in the “Next Generation 2025” list is not only a personal honor for Trần Gia Bảo but also a positive sign for Vietnamese football, as it marks the first time in many years that an international expert panel has recognized a young domestic player as a potential star on the continental stage.

Previously, two other young Vietnamese talents, Phan Thanh Hậu and Lê Đình Long Vũ, received similar honors. While Phan Thanh Hậu remained a youthful talent who never fully matured at HAGL, Lê Đình Long Vũ of SLNA has also shown signs of stagnation recently. Therefore, being named by The Guardian is truly a double-edged sword for prodigy Gia Bảo at this moment.