The banner that inspired me
I will definitely make a comeback and repay the favor
FW 11 Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA
Introducing all the blue and red warriors taking on the 2026 Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League in 'PLAYERS FILE 2026.' What thoughts do the players hold, and with what resolve are they preparing to face the year ahead, especially with the special half-season tournament approaching?
Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA, who has been troubled by repeated injuries despite high expectations. In the 2025 season, he injured his left shoulder and was unfortunate enough to injure his right shoulder in his comeback match. Even now, as he works hard on rehabilitation to return, what has supported him is the banner continuously displayed at the stadium. We delved into the thoughts of the number 11, who firmly receives the messages from fans and supporters and strives to look forward despite the hardships.
Exhaling a long breath and then swallowing it back down. Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA, who had been living through such repetitive days, turned his attention to himself.
Before the start of the 2024 season, he put on the blue and red uniform carrying great expectations. However, due to repeated injuries, he appeared in only 12 official matches in his first season with the team. Last season, when he aimed to overcome that frustration, even greater challenges awaited him.
"I entered the season intending to play in every match. I wanted to make up for the frustration of my first season after the transfer, but when the season started, it turned out to be an even tougher season than that."
Last season, due to repeated injuries including injuries to both shoulders, I only managed to appear in 4 official matches, the worst since turning professional. The depth and length of my sighs surely increased. Even so, I pulled myself together and lifted my head. What made me do that was the banner always displayed in the stadium that said, 'We’ll wait for you no matter how many times, Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA.'
"I was disappointed in myself, and it became a season where I made the fans and supporters feel the same. While feeling sorry about that, having the banner displayed gave me the motivation to 'try again.' No matter how tough the times are, I have no choice but to face forward and keep going. I am truly grateful for that, and that's why I want to give back."
He is steadily progressing on the road to recovery. Along that journey, he no longer wishes for too much. This season, Motoki NAGAKURA and Marcelo RYAN have moved on to permanent transfers, and a fierce competition for regular positions awaits with Teruhito NAKAGAWA, Keito SATO, and the eager young players. However, he shakes his head and says, "It's a shameful story, but I'm not even at that stage yet."
“First, I need to focus on myself. Comparing myself to others can wait until I’m on the pitch. Even during my time at Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, I tended to get injured, but the number of injuries now is incomparable. It makes me think about a lot of things.”
In that way, Ogashiwa shook off the feelings that threatened to overwhelm him by telling himself, “Blaming someone else won’t get me anywhere,” and decided to face himself head-on.
"I believe I have no choice but to do my best with what I can do. I have to focus on myself. I sometimes want to blame something else, but I want to concentrate on what I need to do. Honestly, I might be different from those around me. First and foremost, I see this as a battle against injury, so I want to overcome it and show myself playing in matches. And once I’m on the field, I want to contribute to the team’s victory. I want to prepare for that."
He may not have high expectations for himself. However, he has the energy that drives him forward. For the fans and supporters who have pushed him on, he aims for the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium.
There was no hesitation in the eyes of the man who made that decision.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
