At the beginning of the year 2020, the Brazilian football/soccer club Botafogo FR announced a contract that was not expected by the majority. Keisuke Honda, famous Japanese player, landed in Rio de Janeiro, with great international contracting status. Honda, 33 years old, has passed through many clubs of great expression, such as the Milan from Italy and Russian CSKA. He also participated in 3 world cups, having already played about 100 games for the Japanese team.
His coming to Brazil, reverberated a lot among the specialized press, among the fans and mainly on the internet, generating even several memes. The curious thing is that the club presented the player in a video with the style of Gameboy Pokemon. Such repercussion guaranteed Botafogo the biggest digital growth since May 2018. The club has already added more than 34.5 thousand new registrationsLet's then get to know a little more about the history and career of this player.
Keisuke Honda - From anonymity to stardom
As most should know, the Soccer it is not the most popular sport among the Japanese. But since he was a little boy Keisuke Honda was fascinated by football/soccer. So much so that, at just 8 years old, he had already passed the test to play for FC Settsu, a local team. Some time later, he left the club and started playing for the Ishikawa school team. There he played a key role in taking the city team to the semifinals of the All Japan High School .
The young Honda started to become famous since then, being recognized as the main player by J. League and the Japanese football/soccer Association in 2004. It was then that he started to be compared to a character called Seisuke Kanou Soccer anime Hungry Heart - Wild Striker (by the same author of Captain Tsubasa -Super Champions).
After finishing his studies, Honda ended up playing for a team from Limburg, Holland, called VVV Venlo. Due to his excellent performances at this club, many European teams became interested in his football/soccer. Such teams as the great English teams Liverpool FC and Everton and AFC Ajax from the Netherlands.
From Japan to the world
At the end of 2009, Honda was transferred to the CSKA Moscow, great team of the Russian league. His contract was signed for 4 years in the amount of about 6 million euros. One of his great performances was marked in the club's history. The game was in the Champions League, against Sevilla, a great Spanish team, and favorite for the victory.
The confrontation remained tied, until Honda scored a decisive foul goal, giving the victory to his team. On that day, the sports press praised Honda for the victory, making several headlines around the world. Honda was the first Japanese player to reach the quarter-finals of this competition.
Staying at a high level for years on the Russian team and receiving high praise from great coaches, in 2013, Honda leaves CSKA and signs a contract with the powerful Milão from Italy. The Japanese star arrived with great status at the club, receiving the number 10 shirt.
With the end of his contract in 2017, Honda signs a contract with Pachuca of Mexico. Even though he was 30 years old at the time, his performance and talent remained alive. With his excellent participation, scoring 13 goals in 36 matches, he helped the team reach the Club World Cup semifinals. In 2018, Honda is announced by the Melbourne Victory of Australia. and in January 2020. signed a one-year contract with the Brazilian club Botafogo.
In the Japanese national team and off the field
From the Japanese national team, Honda is the top scorer in the World Cup, being the all-time top scorer for the national team and the ninth player with the most appearances for Japan. He gained fame and prominence thanks to his free-kick goals, including his achievement at the Olympics for the Japanese U-23 team. He has always been praised by critics for his performance and discipline in these competitions.
Even though he never won major competitions with Japan, Keisuke Honda joined history national team, being considered one of the biggest and best Japanese players.
Outside the lawns Honda operates in several areas. He owns many soccer schools around the world and owns two soccer teams, the Soltilo Angkor FC of Cambodia it's the Brigth Stars FC of Uganda. In addition, Honda voluntarily trained the Cambodia team. Even becoming a cultural ambassador in Cambodia. He also holds interests in an investment fund in partnership with the famous actor Will Smith.
