Takefusa Kubo: Home at Last at Real Sociedad

Over the past few years, Japan has lurked in the shadows as one of the rising stars in international football. They’ve qualified for every World Cup since 1998, they’ve produced the likes of Shinji Kagawa, Maya Yoshida and Makoto Hasebe, and they’ve had their fair share of memorable performances on the world stage. Nevertheless, they haven’t been able to find a playmaker with the potential of delivering them to extraordinary heights. That is, until Takefusa Kubo came along.

The summer of 2019 was a game changer for Japanese football. Their Olympic side reached the Toulon Tournament Final, only to lose to a star-studded Brazil side on penalties. In addition, several Japanese youngsters got the stepping-stone transfers they needed to continue their development and push them to the next level.

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The last time Real Sociedad were playing a Champions League knockout round match, Martin Zubimendi was 5.Now 25, Zubimendi is in the starting XI for La Real's match at PSG today, and he could be vital to their hopes of getting a result.@Cerebralcardo:https://t.co/DuTK2HxzfCpic.twitter.com/y0L49LNYmi— Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) February 14, 2024