[Player Up Close #3] Takefusa Kubo | From Asao Ward, Kawasaki (Kakinoki) to La Masia to Real Sociedad Ace
A column diving into the personal side of Japan national team MF Takefusa Kubo — covering his roots in Kakinoki, Asao Ward, Kawasaki and FC Persimmon, his La Masia days, and how he found his place at Real Sociedad after passing through Real Madrid.
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_Takefusa Kubo (CC BY-SA / Wikimedia Commons)_
When we watch football, we tend to be dazzled by goals and assist statistics. But where did a player first kick a ball, and what journey did they take to get here? What face do they show beyond the pitch?
"The Real Player" Series, Part 3 focuses on Takefusa Kubo — a player hailed as "the Japanese Messi" from childhood, who has walked a path through the world's biggest stages and found his true home as the ace of Real Sociedad in Spain. He is one of the players carrying the greatest hopes for the Samurai Blue as they look to advance from Group F, reach the Round of 16, and push further at WC 2026.
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| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Takefusa Kubo |
| Date of Birth | June 4, 2001 (age 24) |
| Hometown | Asao Ward, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture |
| Height / Weight | 173 cm / 67 kg |
| Position | MF / FW (Right Wing, Attacking Midfield) |
| Dominant Foot | Left |
| Club | Real Sociedad (Spain, La Liga) |
| Jersey Number | 14 |
| International Caps | Approx. 45 caps / 7 goals |
| Nicknames | Take, Take Kubo, "The Japanese Messi" (childhood) |
arrow_forward His Roots — Kakio, Asao Ward, Kawasaki
The place where Takefusa Kubo first started playing football is the Kakio area of Asao Ward, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Kawasaki may conjure images of an industrial city, but Asao Ward is a lush residential area nestled in the Tama Hills. The neighbourhood around Kakio Station on the Odakyu Line is a quiet town long known for its persimmon (kaki) cultivation.
Basic Data: Asao Ward
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Westernmost part of Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture |
| Population | Approx. 180,000 (Asao Ward) |
| Mayor (Kawasaki City) | Norihiko Fukuda |
| Distance from Tokyo | Approx. 25 km (about 30 min by Odakyu from Shinjuku to Kakio Station) |
| Main Stations | Kakio Station, Shin-Yurigaoka Station (Odakyu Line) |
The Town of Kakio
As its name suggests, "Kakio" derives from the area's historic reputation as a persimmon-producing region. Situated in the rolling terrain of the Tama Hills, it retains lush parks and well-preserved natural landscapes — an area that might best be described as a "satoyama village close to the city centre."
FC Persimmon — Where Kubo's Football Began
The first football club Kubo joined, FC Persimmon, is a junior youth club based in Asao Ward. The club was founded by alumni of the Kakinomi Kindergarten, and the name "Persimmon" is the English word for kaki (persimmon).
While attending Kaze no Tani Kindergarten in Asao Ward, Kubo began kicking a ball with FC Persimmon around the age of five. There is a legendary episode from those early days: he would enter matches for a year-group below his own and still dribble past every defender to score goal after goal.
A Star Watched Over by an Entire Town
In the Asao Ward and Kakio area, people who witnessed Kubo as a small child continue to follow his growth to this day — kindergarten and club staff, local shopkeepers, school figures, and football friends from his own generation. Local media regularly feature him as "the pride of Asao."
Unlike the bustling city centre with its high-rise apartments and commercial complexes, Kakio is a quiet, green satoyama town. It was here that a young Kubo nurtured not only his skill — being better than everyone around him — but also a deep, genuine love for football.
calendar_month Career Timeline by Era
| Year | Age | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 0 | Born in Asao Ward, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture |
| c. 2004 | 3 | Begins kicking a ball |
| 2006 | 5 | Joins FC Persimmon alongside kindergarten |
| c. 2009 | 8 | Joins Kawasaki Frontale U-10 |
| 2011 | 10 | Scouted at an FC Barcelona camp; joins La Masia |
| 2011–15 | 10–14 | Training at La Masia; unable to play in official matches due to FIFA sanctions on Barcelona over underage transfers |
| 2015 | 14 | Returns to Japan; joins FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi |
| 2016 | 15 | Plays for FC Tokyo U-18 and the first team concurrently; sets club's youngest-ever goalscorer record in J3 |
| 2017 | 16 | J1 debut (aged 16 years, 5 months); key figure for Japan U-15, U-16 and U-17 |
| 2018 | 17 | Loan move to Yokohama F. Marinos |
| 2019 | 18 | Signs with Real Madrid; loaned to RCD Mallorca; senior national team debut |
| 2020–21 | 19–20 | Loans at Villarreal and Getafe |
| 2021–22 | 20 | Rejoins Mallorca on a further loan |
| 2022 | 21 | Permanent transfer to Real Sociedad; contributes to wins over Germany and Spain at the Qatar World Cup |
| 2023–24 | 22 | Breaks through at Sociedad; raises his profile as a key player in the UEFA Champions League group stage |
| Summer 2024 | 23 | Wears the No. 14 jersey; firmly established as Sociedad's undisputed ace |
| 2025–26 | 24 | 2 goals and 3 assists in 18 La Liga appearances; managing a muscle injury while keeping his eyes on the World Cup |
sports_soccer Football Journey — Club Career
FC Barcelona / La Masia (2011–2015)
At just 10 years old, Kubo knocked on the door of the world's greatest club and trained at the legendary academy that produced Messi, Xavi and Iniesta. He was consistently the star player in the Infantil and Cadete categories, but FIFA sanctions on Barcelona over underage transfers meant he was unable to appear in official matches and was ultimately forced to return to Japan.
FC Tokyo (2015–2019)
Back in Japan at 14, Kubo quickly made his mark in FC Tokyo's academy. He made his J3 debut at the age of 15 years and 4 months, setting the club's youngest-ever goalscoring record, and the following year made his J1 debut at 16 years and 5 months.
Real Madrid Loan Era (2019–2022)
In the summer of 2019, Kubo signed with Real Madrid, drawing worldwide attention. However, breaking into the first team proved difficult, and he spent time on loan at Mallorca, Villarreal and Getafe. Even so, his adaptability to Spanish football and his competitive spirit were forged during this period.
Real Sociedad (2022–present)
He joined on a permanent basis in the summer of 2022. The calm, cultured city of San Sebastián and the club's player-centred philosophy proved a perfect fit. Under manager Imanol Alguacil he became a first-choice right winger, and in the 2023–24 season he further enhanced his reputation as a key figure in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Having extended his contract in the summer of 2024 and taken the No. 14 shirt, he is now the face of Sociedad.
Close Companions
Takuhiro "Pipi" Nakai (formerly Real Madrid Castilla)
A fellow Japanese player of the same generation making his way through Spanish football. They go back a long way from youth national team days and have been partners in both life and football in Spain.
Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace)
The attacking unit of the Japan national team. The historic victory over England in March 2026 was made possible by the combination of these four players.
Kento Nakamura (Stade de Reims)
A year older than Kubo but a friend since their youth national team days. Kubo has said: "I always get a feeling that Nakamura is about to score."
local_fire_department Japan National Team Highlights
| Year | Tournament / Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Senior national team debut | First appearance at Copa América |
| 2021 | Tokyo Olympics | Key player (non-OA); 4th place; scored vs. Mexico |
| 2022 | Qatar World Cup | Contributed to group-stage wins over Germany and Spain; Japan finished top of the group |
| 2023–25 | World Cup Asian Qualifiers | Contributed multiple goals to secure qualification |
| 2026.3 | vs. Scotland | Won 1-0 |
| 2026.3 | vs. England (Wembley) | Contributed to historic 1-0 win — first World Cup-related victory over England for an Asian side |
In the Wembley match against England in March 2026, Kaoru Mitoma converted the decisive goal from a Kento Nakamura assist, stunning the world. Kubo was a constant threat down the right flank throughout the match, creating chances and putting on a complete performance.
favorite Social Media & Public Profile
Instagram (Official)
His following numbers in the millions. Posts centre on team photos after matches, glimpses of daily life in San Sebastián, and off-duty shots with the national team. His social media presence is quiet and understated — an account that conveys his single-minded dedication to football rather than words.
Media Appearances
In addition to a personal sponsorship deal with adidas, his TV commercials — often featuring his distinctive yellow boots — are a familiar sight in Japan. His thoughtful, humble interview manner is also widely appreciated.
Other Presence
His official website and X (formerly Twitter) remain largely inactive, reflecting his own stated desire to "focus on football." He is frequently seen responding to Spanish media in fluent Spanish, and local journalists often speak warmly of his personality.
info Editor's Note
The story of Takefusa Kubo carries a depth that cannot be captured by the phrase "childhood prodigy" alone. A boy who began kicking a ball at a small club in Kakio, trained at the world's most prestigious academy, and was then forced to leave Barcelona by regulations — caught between the football systems of two countries, Kubo responded to it all simply by playing football, quietly and without complaint.
Carrying the weight of being "part of the world's greatest brand" in Real Madrid, he never let that define him, continuing to deliver results at each loan club. And since finding his "true home" in San Sebastián, Kubo has unmistakably begun to carry the aura of a complete footballer.
At WC 2026, Japan face formidable opponents in Group F, including the Netherlands and Sweden. To reach the Round of 16 and dare to dream beyond that, the magic of this boy from Kakio, Asao Ward, will be indispensable.
_This article is the third instalment in the "The Real Player" series — content that shines a light not only on footballing achievements, but on the human side of each player and the appeal of their hometown._