Japan's most expensive star is out of injury, making Vietnam team face more difficulties

During the afternoon training session of the Japanese national team on January 11, midfielder Takefusa Kubo - the highest-valued player (60 million euros) in the team's squad for the 2023 Asian Cup - returned to training as usual. This was the first full training session with teammates for the player born in 2001 since joining the national team.

Before that, he trained separately under the guidance of a therapist and a fitness trainer. Takefusa Kubo suffered a left quadriceps injury in Real Sociedad's match against Alaves on January 3.

Takefusa Kubo has 3 days of training to regain his fitness and form to join the Japanese team in the opening match against the Vietnamese team on January 14. Kubo's presence is very important to coach Hajime Moriyasu in the context that the team cannot have the service of Kaoru Mitoma.

Takefusa Kubo returns to training with the Japanese national team.

" I think everything is fine. The pain is no longer a problem. I will discuss further with the medical team and the coach ," Kubo shared.

More than a year ago, Kubo was with the Japanese team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, at that time, this player was not the first choice of coach Hajime Moriyasu.

" My position now is different from the last time I came to Qatar. I want to improve my skills. My goal is to win and make this tournament for Kubo ," the player who is playing in La Liga expressed his determination.

" I play football because I want to become a player who attracts attention all over the world , so the current situation is very exciting. In fact, I am still at the starting line compared to my future plans. I have not won any titles since I became a professional player. I need a championship at the continental or world level ."

Takefusa Kubo used to train at Barcelona's La Masia academy. When he turned professional, he played for Real Madrid but could not find a place. Therefore, in the summer of 2022, the Spanish Royal team sold him outright to Real Sociedad.

Kubo immediately shone. In the 2022/23 season, he played 44 matches, scored 9 goals and assisted 7 times to help Real Sociedad finish 4th in La Liga, and also won a place in the Champions League. This season, the 23-year-old midfielder has maintained stability with 6 goals and 3 assists.

Van Hai

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