Keisuke Honda
Keisuke Honda, the versatile Japanese midfielder who scored on six continents and was voted Player of the Tournament at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
via Wikipedia: Keisuke Honda · see source
Keisuke Honda is a Japanese professional football manager and player who plays as a midfielder for Singapore Premier League side Jurong. A versatile player, Honda can also play as a winger, a false nine or a deep-lying playmaker. He earned over 90 international caps between 2008 and 2018, playing at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups. He was also part of the squad which won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, where he was voted Player of the Tournament.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 13 June 1986
- Birthplace
- Settsu, Osaka, Japan
- Height
- 1.82 m / 6 ft
- Position
- Attacking midfielder
- Current club
- Jurong
Lore & Background
Honda holds the record for becoming the first professional player to score a goal on six separate continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America. He holds another record of becoming the first ever Asian player to have scored against a nation of every continent after scoring against Senegal in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. At club level, Honda's career took him from Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan to VVV-Venlo in the Eredivisie, where he was relegated in his first six months but then scored 16 goals in 36 league appearances to help the team back into the top flight, earning the nickname Keizer Keisuke (Emperor Keisuke) among the club's fans. He then moved to CSKA Moscow, where he became the first Japanese player to reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and the first to score in the knock-out stages, netting a winning free kick against Sevilla. Honda later played for AC Milan, Pachuca, Melbourne Victory, Vitesse, Botafogo, and Neftçi.
Reader's Guide
Keisuke Honda's international career began in earnest during the late 2000s, quickly establishing himself as a key figure for Japan. His leadership peaked at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, where he was part of the squad which won the tournament and was voted Player of the Tournament. At club level, Honda's journey included a transfer to CSKA Moscow at the end of December 2009 for a fee believed to be in the region of €6 million. He made his debut for CSKA in the UEFA Champions League match against Sevilla, and in the second leg in Seville, he scored the winning goal through a direct free kick after having set up the first goal for Tomáš Necid, securing a 2–1 (3–2 aggregate) victory to send the club to the quarterfinals. This made Honda the first Japanese player to be in the quarter-finals as well as the first to score in the knock-out stages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Keisuke Honda's major achievements with Japan?
He represented his country in two FIFA World Cups (2010 and 2014) and helped secure the AFC Asian Cup title in 2011. His performances during these tournaments cemented his status as one of the nation's finest ever players.
Is Keisuke Honda still playing for the national team?
No, he officially retired from international football after his final cap in 2018. While no longer active with the Samurai Blue, his legacy remains a defining chapter of Japan's modern football history.
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