Japan’s status as FIFA’s top-ranked team at the 2024 AFC Asian Cup and the favourites to win the title owes much to their possession of players of the pedigree of Takefusa Kubo.
Once of Barcelona and Real Madrid, Kubo has been a key part of Real Sociedad’s progress to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, winning a group that included 2022/23 finalists and current Serie A leaders Inter Milan.
Kubo has been lauded as “extraordinarily talented” ahead of the finals and the creativity that has seen him directly contribute to almost a third of Sociedad’s 2023/24 league goals is likely to be in entertaining evidence again as Japan attempt to win the Asian Cup for the first time since 2011.
The Sporting News looks at Kubo’s story so far, including his experiences at the two most high-profile clubs in Spain and the latest transfer talk on his future.
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Takefusa Kubo: Age, position, career of Japan star
Born in Kawasaki on June 4, 2001, Kubo is 22 but already has a wealth of experience among Europe’s elite, beginning when he was spotted by Barcelona as a child.
The Spanish giants held a football camp in his home city, where Kubo was named best player. He went on to join their La Masia academy, famous for developing an abundance of talent through the years including eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.
Kubo is an attacking midfielder or forward who is adept at playing as a support striker and drifting out to the right, with analysis by Breaking the Lines in 2022 highlighting his hard work to win the ball off defenders and his tendency to cut inside from that flank with his left foot and find clever passes when in possession.
Barca could not keep Kubo because of an investigation into their adherence to FIFA transfer policies around youth players, rendering him ineligible to play for the club.
His subsequent three years at FC Tokyo included a loan spell with Yokohama F Marinos in 2018 before Real Madrid signed the prospect in 2019, loaning him to fellow Spanish clubs RCD Mallorca (twice), Villarreal and Getafe.
A move to Real Sociedad resulted in Kubo flourishing for the first time in senior European football during the 2021/22 season, helping his new club to reach the Europa League Round of 16 and finish fourth in La Liga.
La Real and Kubo have impressed again in 2023/24, sitting sixth at the turn of the calendar year and finishing their Champions League group stage with the best defensive record of any team involved.
Kubo has significant international experience, including joining Japan’s team at the FIFA U-20 World Cup as a 15-year-old in 2017 and earning a call-up for the 2019 Copa America when he was 18.
He made his senior debut five days after his 18th birthday in June 2019, scored at the 2020 Olympic Games in his homeland and took part in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, starting in Japan’s surprise group-stage wins over former champions Germany and Spain.
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Takefusa Kubo Real Sociedad stats, goals, appearances
Kubo featured in all but four of Sociedad’s La Liga and Europa League matches in his first season at the club, setting up two goals to help them top their group in the latter competition in style ahead of Manchester United by winning the first five matches of their European campaign.
He twice enjoyed purple patches of five goal involvements in as many games, finishing on 18 goal contributions in 42 matches in those two competitions.
A run of eight goal involvements in 11 appearances at the start of 2023/24 demonstrated Kubo’s growing role in Sociedad’s success, with his five goals in their first seven La Liga matches including a spectacular curling effort from just inside the penalty area as part of a double at home to Granada.
Inter and Benfica were odds-on to win Sociedad’s group but Kubo, who was involved in all of their games and started five times, was part of a squad who finished eight points above the third-placed Portuguese champions at the top of the pile, going unbeaten and keeping clean sheets in all of their away games.
“It was the perfect move for him and we’ve seen him take a level up now,” Spanish football expert Phil Kitromilides told the Optus Sport Football Podcast. “This year we’ve seen him produce performances in the Champions League.
“It’s not just him playing well in La Liga week in, week out. It’s him taking a step up and really dominating Champions League games against good sides.”
Season
Appearances (starts)
Goals
Assists
Yellow/red cards
2022/23
44 (34)
9
9
3/0
2023/24*
25 (21)
6
4
2/0
*As of January 2
Takefusa Kubo EA Sports FC 24 rating, stats
Left-footed Kubo has a medium workrate on FC 24.
He has a four-star rating for skill moves and four-star weak foot rating.
Overall: 81
Potential: 87
Attack: Crossing 77; Finishing 81; Heading accuracy 49; Short pass 78; Volleys 67
Skill: Dribbling 83; Curve 75; Free-kick accuracy 74; Long passing 74; Ball control 84
Power: Shot power 73; Jumping 69; Stamina 74; Strength 59; Long shots 74
Movement: Acceleration 89; Sprint speed 79; Agility 85; Reactions 79; Balance 83
Mental: Aggression 43; Interceptions 28; Attacking position 79; Vision 76; Penalties 63; Composure 72
Defence: Defensive awareness 40; Standing tackles 43; Slide tackles 46
Takefusa Kubo at Barcelona: Why did he leave Barca?
Kubo was one of 12 players named in an initial investigation over Barcelona breaking article 19 of FIFA regulations on international deals, which is designed to protect players under 18.
Barca protested and wanted a change of policy but Kubo was forced to return to Japan, where he became a youth player at FC Tokyo amid reports that his former club were keen to sign him again once he became an adult.
Instead, familiar title rivals Madrid stepped in at that point to sign Kubo for a fee reported by the Guardian as €2 million (£1.7m/$2.2m), including a six-year deal for the player worth €1m (£860,000/$1.1m) a season.
Writer Sid Lowe said Barca had been unwilling to meet Kubo’s demands and claimed Paris Saint-Germain, who Sociedad will meet in the Champions League Round of 16, were also keen.
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What happened to Takefusa Kubo at Real Madrid?
Although Kubo did not make a senior appearance for Madrid, he played more than 100 times for other clubs during his four loan spells, scoring six goals.
Part of his reasoning for not returning to Barcelona could have been his experiences at La Masia. “When I was little and went to Barcełona, I didn’t think much about it,” he is widely reported to have told Japanese outlet Soccer Digest.
“I just always wanted to go to Barcełona at any cost, so I didn’t feel it was a hardship at the time. However, if I had to say, there were many kids with strong personalities in the dormitory, so I thought that if I was looked down upon even a little, it would be the end.
“I tried my best not to be bullied as much as possible with my small body. However, sometimes I was beaten by the bigger kids with their fists. I don’t want to say much about it here but it was a very harsh environment. But if you work hard, you can make it.”
Kubo was pragmatic about his reception at Camp Nou in 2019, when he was was booed by some home supporters while playing for Mallorca on loan from Madrid.
“That’s the decision of the fans,” he said. “I made my call and they have the right to whistle me. I think I deserve it, although there were people who also applauded me, which gave me courage. Does it hurt? No. They have to see me as a rival, not as an 18-year-old boy who plays football pretty well.”
Takefusa Kubo transfer rumours: Man United, Arsenal or Real Madrid?
Numerous reports this season have said Kubo has a €60 million (£51.6m/$65.8m) release clause and linked him with major clubs in Europe.
In September, Fichajes reported that Arsenal were willing to trigger that clause. The Gunners’ faltering title challenge at the turn of the year could make them more likely to bid for Kubo, although they are not short of options in wide and attacking midfield positions, appearing urgently in need of an out-and-out goalscorer.
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Manchester United have weighed up an exchange deal for Kubo involving Brazil winger Antony, according to AS, via Sport Witness.
Media speculation about Kubo’s future intensified as the reopening of the transfer window neared in December, with The Sun claiming that United have scouted him seven times and Sociedad would be willing to accept £43m ($54.9m).
Antony had not directly contributed to any goals by his 21st appearance of the season for United, who returned the peripheral Jadon Sancho to former club Borussia Dortmund on loan on January 11.
Madrid could be tempted to activate their buyback option of €33m for Kubo, said Marca, which added that Los Blancos will be due 50 percent of any fee for which Sociedad sell him.
“Kubo is an extraordinarily talented player and he’s one that’s really progressed over the last year and a half at Real Sociedad,” Kitromilides said. “He’s a terrifically talented player.”
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