Keisuke Honda
Keisuke Honda, the versatile Japanese midfielder who scored on six continents and was voted Player of the Tournament at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
Keisuke Honda is a Japanese professional football manager and player who plays as a midfielder for Singapore Premier League side Jurong. A versatile player, Honda can also play as a winger, a false nine or a deep-lying playmaker. He earned over 90 international caps between 2008 and 2018, playing at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups. He was also part of the squad which won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, where he was voted Player of the Tournament.
- Role
- Attacking Midfielder / Central Midfielder
- Affiliation
- Japan National Team (Samurai Blue)
- Key Era
- 2010–2018
- Status
- Retired from International Football
- Major Tournaments
- FIFA World Cup 2010, 2014, 2018; AFC Asian Cup 2011
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Honda holds the record for becoming the first professional player to score a goal on six separate continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America. He holds another record of becoming the first ever Asian player to have scored against a nation of every continent after scoring against Senegal in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. At club level, Honda's career took him from Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan to VVV-Venlo in the Eredivisie, where he was relegated in his first six months but then scored 16 goals in 36 league appearances to help the team back into the top flight, earning the nickname Keizer Keisuke (Emperor Keisuke) among the club's fans. He then moved to CSKA Moscow, where he became the first Japanese player to reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and the first to score in the knock-out stages, netting a winning free kick against Sevilla. Honda later played for AC Milan, Pachuca, Melbourne Victory, Vitesse, Botafogo, and Neftçi.
In Their Own Story
The roar of the stadium fades into a hum as Keisuke Honda receives the ball thirty yards out. The crowd holds its breath; he knows exactly where the defenders are leaning. With a flick of his right foot, the ball arcs perfectly over the wall, dipping just before crossing the line. It is not just a goal; it is a statement of intent that echoes through the history of Japanese football. This was the Honda who scored the winning goal through a direct free kick for CSKA Moscow against Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League, securing a 2–1 victory and sending the club to the quarterfinals. It was the same Honda who, on 21 May 2017, scored from a free kick against Bologna, winning the game and qualifying AC Milan to the UEFA Europa League for the first time since the 2013–14 season. And it was the Honda who, on 15 March 2020, made his debut for Botafogo and scored his first goal from a penalty kick, a goal that recognized him for being the first player to score on five different continents.
Reader's Guide
Keisuke Honda's international career began in earnest during the late 2000s, quickly establishing himself as a key figure for Japan. He earned over 90 international caps between 2008 and 2018, playing at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups. His leadership peaked at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, where he was part of the squad which won the tournament and was voted Player of the Tournament. Honda holds the record for becoming the first professional player to score a goal on six separate continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America. He holds another record of becoming the first ever Asian player to have scored against a nation of every continent after scoring against Senegal in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. At club level, Honda's journey included a transfer to CSKA Moscow at the end of December 2009 for a fee believed to be in the region of €6 million. He made his debut for CSKA in the UEFA Champions League match against Sevilla, and in the second leg in Seville, he scored the winning goal through a direct free kick after having set up the first goal for Tomáš Necid, securing a 2–1 (3–2 aggregate) victory to send the club to the quarterfinals. This made Honda the first Japanese player to be in the quarter-finals as well as the first to score in the knock-out stages.
Did You Know?
- Honda holds the record for becoming the first professional player to score a goal on six separate continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America.
- He is the first ever Asian player to have scored against a nation of every continent, after scoring against Senegal in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
- Honda was voted Player of the Tournament at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, which Japan won.
- He became the first Japanese player to reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and the first to score in the knock-out stages, netting a winning free kick for CSKA Moscow against Sevilla.
- Honda was known as Keizer Keisuke (Emperor Keisuke) among the fans of VVV-Venlo after scoring 16 goals in 36 league appearances to help the team back into the Eredivisie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Keisuke Honda?
He is a legendary Japanese attacking midfielder celebrated for his vision and leadership during the Samurai Blue's golden era in the 2010s. Often called 'The Maestro,' he served as the creative heartbeat of the national team before retiring from international duty.
What was Keisuke Honda's role on the pitch?
Operating primarily as a central or attacking midfielder, he dictated match tempo and unleashed powerful long-range shots that threatened defenses globally. His ability to control play made him indispensable for Japan during major tournaments like the World Cup.
What are Keisuke Honda's major achievements with Japan?
He represented his country in two FIFA World Cups (2010 and 2014) and helped secure the AFC Asian Cup title in 2011. His performances during these tournaments cemented his status as one of the nation's finest ever players.
Why is Keisuke Honda important to Japanese football?
Honda redefined creativity for the Samurai Blue by proving a Japanese player could dominate midfield battles against top international opposition. His charismatic style and technical skill inspired a generation of younger athletes to pursue success abroad.
Is Keisuke Honda still playing for the national team?
No, he officially retired from international football after his final cap in 2018. While no longer active with the Samurai Blue, his legacy remains a defining chapter of Japan's modern football history.
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