There is no point in running, you have to start on time. Heralded as a future nugget of world football since a young age, Takefusa Kubo (22 years old) is finally confirming all his talent. Trained at FC Barcelona before returning to Japan and FC Tokyo, the right winger joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2019. A return to Europe with the label of great talent for the Japanese who had a lot to prove . Author of a good first loan with Mallorca, he then had more difficulty at Villarreal where he only stayed a few months before finishing the 2020/2021 season with another loan at Getafe. Far from exceptional passages for Takefusa Kubo who spent the 2021/2022 season in Mallorca for another mixed result. Finally, it was in the summer of 2022 that things really changed, when Real Sociedad looked at him.
Wanting to bring a punchy and creative profile to his attack in order to associate him with Ander Barrenetxea, Mikel Oyarzabal or even Alexander Sørloth, Imanol Alguacil was able to count on the Japanese winger to bring a breath of fresh air to his attack. And very quickly, the left-hander felt like a fish in water in the Basque country. “I can’t very well explain what’s happening to me. What I remember is that in the hotels I was in here, in pre-season, I thought that I had no other choice, that this could be my last chance to make this big leap into as a footballer. For now, I think I’m responding to what people expect of me (…) they’ve been following me for three years and they explained it to me. I already knew. So, I decided to choose a club that loves me, a coach that loves me, and it all depended on me. For now, I’m getting by.” he then explained to El Desmarque. Having achieved a high standard last season, Takefusa Kubo finished with 9 goals and 9 goals in 44 matches and finally established himself as the great talent we were expecting.
The man from the start of the season at Real Sociedad
Gaining in versatility and being able to evolve across the entire attacking front, the Kawasaki native also gained confidence with a team where he finished in fourth place in La Liga. The opportunity for him to finally discover the Champions League this season and with the costume of the flagship element of his training. Definitively purchased by Real Sociedad for 6.5 million euros, he started the 2023/2024 financial year under the best auspices. Even more active and creative in his right lane, he has already found the net 5 times in La Liga like Robert Lewandowski and Alvaro Morata. Only Merengue Jude Bellingham does better with 6 units. Also distilling an offering, he is simply irresistible and asserts himself as the best player in the current 4th in Liga at the start of the season. Proof of this is that he has won the man of the match trophy 5 times in 8 matches. Takefusa Kubo is clearly unanimous. Against Bilbao, during a 3-0 victory this Saturday in this Basque derby, he scored again and had a rather astonishing celebration.
His coach Imanol Alguacil has also recognized real progress in terms of efficiency even if he still expects a little more: “Kubo has taken the plunge. That’s very good, that’s his merit. I want the percentage to increase because he can’t miss clear situations.” Legend of the Basque club, Roberto López Ufarte did not fail to compliment him for Mundo Deportivo : “There are a lot of people who want to compare him to me, but he is surely better now. One-on-one, he is very good and has a good left-footed shot. He has what they say I had at that time. He’s the most fit player at the moment, but it’s not just with Kubo that matches are won. Everyone must get involved. Merino has already returned, he is settled and Zubimendi is still good. Author of two offerings also with Japan against Germany (4-1) during the last international break, Takefusa Kubo is one of the figures of this start of the season in La Liga. Followed as always by his former club Real Madrid, but also Arsenal, the Japanese wisp has not finished making headlines. New stage in the Champions League this Tuesday against Red Bull Salzburg.
