Legendary Players & Icons
33 entries in the Japan National Team compendium.
Legendary Players & Icons — Era Chart
Yoshikatsu KawaguchiThe goalkeeper who wore the captain's armband for Japan from 2006 to 2008 and appeared in Shinji OnoJapanese genius who conquered Europe and Asia.Keisuke HondaKeisuke Honda, the versatile Japanese midfielder who scored on six continents and was voteShinji KagawaJapanese midfield maestro and record-setter in European competitions.Tsuneyasu MiyamotoThe central defender who captained Japan through two World Cups and the 2004 Asian Cup vicMasami IharaCaptain of the Japan national team for more than a decade in the 1990s, holding the recordJunichi InamotoScored two goals for Japan at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, including one against Belgium in thYasuhito EndoJapanese footballer and assistant manager of Gamba OsakaNaohiro TakaharaJapanese forward who won the 2000 Asian Cup and became top scorer at the 2007 Asian Cup.Eiji KawashimaThe goalkeeper who guarded the Samurai Blue through three World Cup campaigns and earned oShinji OkazakiJapan's third all-time top goalscorer with 50 international goals and a Premier League winKazuyoshi MiuraJapan's second-highest all-time scorer and football pioneer.Hidetoshi NakataThe first AFC player nominated for the Ballon d'Or.Shunsuke NakamuraJapan's free-kick master and only two-time J.League MVP.Takumi MinaminoJapanese attacking midfielder for Monaco and Japan national team.Masashi NakayamaJapan's first World Cup goalscorer and record-breaking strikerYasuhito EndōJapanese midfielder and assistant manager of Gamba Osaka, record-holder for most J.League Makoto HasebeJapanese defensive midfielder and centre-back, Bundesliga veteran with over 380 appearanceMaya YoshidaThe iron wall of Samurai Blue.Yuji NakazawaJapanese former professional footballer and former captain of the Japan national team, knoAtsushi YanagisawaSpeed, skill, and spirit—Japan's striking legend.Yuki AbeJapanese defensive midfielder who played in the 2010 World Cup and won AFC Champions LeaguYuto NagatomoThe left-back who turned the touchline into a highway and a free kick into a legend.Yuya OsakoJapanese forward who scored historic World Cup goal for Japan.Hideo SawadaThe quiet wall behind Japan's 1990s back line, built on discipline and steel.Takahiro TomiyasuThe young right-back who brought pace, vision, and fearless attacking runs to Japan's backRitsu DoanJapanese right winger for Eintracht Frankfurt and the Japan national team.Kaoru MitomaJapanese left winger known for dribbling and pace, plays for Brighton & Hove Albion and JaTakefusa KuboJapanese梅西 of Real SociedadAo TanakaAo Tanaka: Japan's midfield engine, from Kawasaki to Leeds, with a World Cup winner againsWataru EndoThe metronome who kept Japan's midfield beating in two World Cups and a Bundesliga club's Genki HaraguchiJapanese attacking midfielder for Beerschot and Japan national team.Yoshinori MutoJapanese forward for Vissel Kobe and Japan international since 2014.
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