Linh is the second Vietnamese player to get nominated for the award, after midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai in 2018 and 2019.

Nguyen Tien Linh (number 22) celebrates in World Cup qualifiers in June 2021.

Best Footballer in Asia is an annual association football award presented by Titan Sports, the most circulated sports newspaper in China – to honor the player who had the best performance in Asian football or the Asian player competing outside of Asia in a calendar year. 

The winner is voted for by sport journalists representing Asian countries. Its voting system is similar to that of the reputable Ballon D’or of French magazine France Football.

From a list of 25, the journalists will pick their top five players based on their individual performance and achievement with their team.

Notable names on the list this year include South Korean winger Son Heung-min, Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Uzbekistan striker Eldor Shormurodov.

In 2021, Linh had an impressive year. He was the most profilic scorer of Vietnam in World Cup qualifiers, helping the team reach the final round for the first time in history.

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Striker Nguyen Tien Linh stands side by side with world football stars on FIFA’s special poster

It comes as a great honour for Vietnamese striker Nguyen Tien Linh that the 24-year-old stands side by side with outstanding players of world football on a special poster recently posted by FIFA on its Facebook page.

Source: VnExpress