The young warrior who returned with numerous titles and records
aims for the world’s grand stage
MF 23 Ryunosuke SATO
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?
Ryunosuke SATO, determined to seek playing opportunities, voluntarily undertook a development-type loan transfer. His dynamic performance at Fagiano Okayama opened new doors, earning him numerous awards and records. After a pivotal year, he has returned to the blue and red this season, facing a decisive season with ambitions for further growth and major goals.
AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 MVP & Top Scorer, 2025 J.League Best Young Player Award, J.League Outstanding Player Award, and debut for the Japan national team as the youngest player in the FIFA World Cup 26 Asian final qualifiers—Ryunosuke SATO has returned from his developmental loan to Fagiano Okayama carrying numerous titles and records.
After finishing intense battles in Asia, he joined team training from January 28. That same afternoon, he moved to Ajinomoto Stadium for the team's official photo shoot, putting on the blue and red uniform once again and smiling as he said, "Nostalgic feelings welled up, and I once again felt that I want to get on the pitch wearing this uniform as soon as possible."
It was a determined loan transfer. Frustrated by the lack of playing opportunities in the 2024 season, he felt a strong sense of urgency and decided to undergo rigorous training. While he was mainly used as a deep-lying midfielder or attacking midfielder in Tokyo, he played primarily as a left and right wing-back in Okayama. Showing hard work, he recorded 28 appearances and 6 goals in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, becoming a player loved in Okayama as one who left a mark both in records and memories. He himself said, "I was originally confident in my ability to switch between offense and defense, my stamina, and my strength in one-on-one situations, but I’m glad I was able to prove that with results," thus elevating his major decision to a successful outcome.
Recognized for his dynamism, he was called up to the Japan national team for the first time in June last year during the Asian final qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26. He earned his first cap in the match against Indonesia held in Osaka, then played in all three matches as a Japan national team member at the EAFF E-1 Football Championship in July. In the autumn, he participated in the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Chile, and from the end of the year, he gave up his off-season to join the U-23 Japan national team activities, spending busy days moving between various age-group national teams and his club.
The standards for what I demand of myself and what others expect from me have risen. By joining the Japan national team, "the way people see me has changed, and the expectations placed on me have increased to some extent," he says. Currently, he adds, "I'm doing my best within that environment, so I want to enjoy the situation I'm in and play soccer without taking excessive pressure too seriously."
In the U23 Asian Cup this January, he showed a powerful presence against Asian opponents. "I became confident that I could fully demonstrate my abilities at that level, and I am aware that I played a central role both offensively and defensively for the Japan national team, so I have a strong sense of that," he reflected, and as he said, he is becoming a completely outstanding presence among his peers.
However, age does not matter. Once on the pitch, the conditions are the same. This is because the heights to aim for are different. The goal is to be selected for the Japan national team for this summer’s FIFA World Cup 26. To achieve that, it is necessary to make an overwhelming impact in the returning blue and red uniform. There is a handicap in joining the team led by Rikizo MATSUHASHI, who has been building up the camp, as a new member, but on the other hand, the match sharpness and condition honed by fighting through the U23 Asian Cup are more refined than anyone else on the team. Ryunosuke himself confidently says that this is an “advantage.” The results in Tokyo will carve out his own future. He understands this better than anyone else.
"I want to grow even more to play in the World Cup, and I want to show everything I have built up so far and all the growth I achieved in Okayama here in Tokyo. I want to be involved in plays that lead to goals in attack, dribbles that break past opponents, and also take on the role of finishing. I want to do all the attacking plays. I want to make an absolute difference with goals and assists and go to the World Cup."
In the half-season ahead, armed with the growth and confidence gained from a year of rigorous training, Ryunosuke SATO’s performance has every possibility of exceeding the expectations of those around him.
First, he will become an overwhelming presence in the J.League. Beyond that lies an infinitely vast future.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Toshio Aoyama
