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Top 10 best Japan football player

Top 10 best Japan football player of all time

Takumi Minamino, Takehiro Tomiyasu or Takefusa Kubo, players who are playing for top clubs in the world, are not expensive Japanese players. Japanese football can boast a lot of players playing in Europe’s top national championships, even starting in top big teams. Here Premiumsoccertips share the 10 best Japan football player highest priced.

Top 10 best Japan football player

1. Morita

The player currently playing for Santa Clara is valued at 4 million euros and plays as a defensive midfielder. He joined the Portuguese club at the beginning of 2021, transferring from Kawasaki Frontale, and has played over 50 matches in Europe since joining the new team. Despite being a defensive midfielder, Morita has scored 4 important goals for Santa Clara.

Morita - Best Japan football player
Morita – Best Japan football player

Morita, valued at 4 million euros, has made a notable impact at Santa Clara since moving from Kawasaki Frontale in early 2021. He has played in over 50 matches in Europe, demonstrating his influence as a defensive midfielder. Notably, despite his position, Morita has scored 4 crucial goals for Santa Clara.

2. Masaya Okugawa

Born in 1996, Okugawa began his professional career in Europe at the age of 18 when he joined RB Salzburg. He then had a successful journey, especially when he moved to play for DSC Arminia Bielefeld in the Bundesliga – Germany’s top league. He is a versatile midfielder, highly rated for his ball control, playmaking, and scoring abilities.

During his time at Bielefeld, he played 41 matches, scored 10 goals, and provided 4 assists. His influence on the team’s gameplay in the German league was remarkable. With his flexibility on the field and quick adaptation to different roles, he has become an important part of Bielefeld’s tactics.

Masaya Okugawa - Best Japan football player
Masaya Okugawa – Best Japan football player

In addition to scoring and assisting, Okugawa is highly regarded for his hard work and commitment in every match. His maturity and experience gained during his time at Salzburg have helped him shine in the Bundesliga. With his potential and talent, he is predicted to continue bringing success to DSC Arminia Bielefeld and may attract attention from bigger clubs in the future.

3. Kyogo Furuhashi

Japanese player Furuhashi, playing as a winger for Celtic in Scotland, has made a strong impression reminiscent of his senior Shunsuke Nakamura of Celtic in the past. Furuhashi, 27 years old, joined Celtic in July 2021 for 5 million euros and quickly became a standout in the lineup. He has appeared in 26 matches, scoring 16 goals, and providing 5 assists in the Scottish Premiership. Furuhashi’s impressive form has reminded Celtic fans of Nakamura’s era when he conquered the Scottish Premiership also wearing Celtic’s jersey.

Kyogo Furuhashi - Best Japan football player
Kyogo Furuhashi – Best Japan football player

Celtic has a strong history of Japanese players, and Furuhashi’s prominence has excited the fans. His brilliance is not only in scoring goals but also in calmly handling the ball and creating dangerous situations for his team. Furuhashi’s skill and talent are surprising the Celtic management, fans, and teammates with how quickly and powerfully he has adapted to Scottish football.

4. Ritsu Doan

Ritsu Doan, one of Japan’s top young talents, has attracted attention from football fans not only in his home country but also worldwide, including Vietnam. After gaining fame in the J-League, Doan decided to move to Europe to compete in a more challenging football environment. He joined PSV Eindhoven, a top team in the Netherlands, and quickly made an impact in their jersey.

Ritsu Doan - Best Japan football player
Ritsu Doan – Best Japan football player

PSV Eindhoven valued Ritsu Doan at 6.5 million euros, showing confidence in the young player’s potential. With speed, technique, and creativity, Doan has played a significant role at PSV, bringing breakthroughs and sharp attacking capabilities, contributing to the club’s success in domestic and continental competitions.

Doan’s success in Europe has made him a symbol of Japan’s football development and a great inspiration for young talents worldwide, especially in Asia. His career is a clear example of the strength and potential of young Japanese players venturing beyond national borders to tackle new challenges.

5. Junya Ito

Ito emerged from the school football system, starting his professional career at 22 years old with Ventforet Kofu, then Kashiwa Reysol in the Japanese J-League.

In 2019, Belgium’s Genk club loaned Ito and then decided to permanently sign him after an impressive season. With the ability to play as a flexible attacking midfielder and exceptional individual skills, Ito quickly adapted and became an essential part of Genk’s lineup.

Junya Ito - Best Japan soccer player
Junya Ito – Best Japan soccer player

Currently, Ito’s value is estimated at 8 million euros, showing his growth and success at Genk. Ito’s progress is a typical example of how young Japanese players can venture beyond national borders to conquer new challenges and enhance their value in the world’s top football.

6. Takefusa Kubo

Takefusa Kubo was once a promising La Masia academy player at Barcelona. However, due to legal issues, Kubo had to leave Barcelona. Real Madrid immediately recognized his talent while he was playing for FC Tokyo in Japan and recruited him for their youth team.

Although Kubo often trained with Real Madrid’s main team, he has not secured a permanent position at the Bernabeu. Currently, Kubo is playing on loan for Mallorca. Here, he has had the opportunity to showcase his abilities in a professional environment.

Takefusa Kubo - Best Japan soccer player
Takefusa Kubo – Best Japan soccer player

With his progress and creativity, Kubo is currently valued at around 10 million euros, demonstrating his potential and value as a young player. Kubo’s time at Mallorca is a positive step to gain experience and advance in his football career, while Real Madrid waits to see if he can become an indispensable part of their main team in the future.

7. Wataru Endo

Endo is one of the Japanese players who chose the European path through cooperation between Japanese football and Belgium’s Sint-Truidense club. Later, he was loaned to Stuttgart and then permanently signed.

Since joining Stuttgart, Endo has played 70 matches, scored 5 goals, and made 7 assists. This demonstrates his stability and significant contribution to the team’s gameplay. Currently, Endo is valued at around 10 million euros, showing growth and value as a notable central midfielder in European football.

Wataru Endo - Best player in Japan soccer
Wataru Endo – Best player in Japan soccer

Endo is one of the successful Japanese players who transitioned to play in Europe, and his career is an inspiration for other young talents from this country. His high valuation also reflects recognition of his abilities in the top football environment worldwide.

8. Takumi Minamino

Minamino had an impressive performance at Red Bull Salzburg, a top team in Austria, prompting Liverpool to pay nearly 10 million euros to bring him to Anfield. At Liverpool, Minamino continued to prove his abilities and became a notable star in Japanese football.

Although not the highest-priced player, Minamino remains one of the standout figures in Japanese football. Currently, he is valued at around 12 million euros, demonstrating growth and prominence at the highest level of world football.

Takumi Minamino - Best player in Japan soccer
Takumi Minamino – Best player in Japan soccer

Minamino is a testament to the success of Japanese players transitioning to play in top European leagues. His career is an inspiration for other young talents from this country, showing that Asian players can succeed in Western football environments.

9. Daichi Kamada

Kamada is an attacking midfielder often regarded as the second coming of his compatriot Shinji Kagawa, with the ability to seize opportunities and create important chances for his team.

During his time at Frankfurt, Kamada played 120 matches, scored 22 goals, and made 26 assists. These are impressive numbers for an attacking midfielder, demonstrating Kamada’s versatility and outstanding attacking abilities.

Daichi Kamada - Best player in Japan soccer
Daichi Kamada – Best player in Japan soccer

Currently, Kamada is valued at up to 22 million euros, showing his value and potential in the transfer market. Comparisons with Shinji Kagawa also highlight Kamada as one of Japan’s top talents, expected to continue developing and succeeding in his career in Europe.

10. Takehiro Tomiyasu

Tomiyasu quickly earned Arsenal’s Player of the Month award shortly after joining the club. With the ability to play as a full-back and central defender, this 23-year-old was once rated one of the best defenders in Serie A.

Despite facing injuries in early 2022, Tomiyasu’s value on Transfermarkt has significantly increased to 25 million euros, over 3 million euros higher than at the start of the 2021/2022 season. This demonstrates Tomiyasu’s impressive skills and potential at Arsenal and is a driving force behind his increased transfer market value.

Takehiro Tomiyasu - Best soccer player in Japan
Takehiro Tomiyasu – Best soccer player in Japan

Despite injury setbacks, Tomiyasu remains one of the promising young talents with significant influence in football, and the increase in his value is just one of many signs of his well-deserved recognition in his career.

Conclude

The best Japan football player is a clear testament to the progress and potential of football in this country. With impressive achievements at top European clubs such as Takumi Minamino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Takefusa Kubo, Ritsu Doan, and Wataru Endo, they have changed the landscape of Japanese players’ abilities in the international football environment. Their success is not only a source of pride for the country of the rising sun but also a great inspiration for young Japanese football talents. The variety of playing positions and playing styles of these players has brought breakthroughs and changes to Japanese football, while affirming the growing position of this football team in the international football community.

See also: Top 10 best player in Tottenham of all time