Takefusa Kubo, the teenager from Japan is hailed as the “Japanese Messi”. He started his youth career in the Barcelona academy. But Barcelona had trouble signing him due to his young age and Kubo returned to his homeland.
He played for FC Tokyo after returning to Japan in 2015. Then, Real Madrid got their chance of signing the “Japanese Messi”. They didn’t hesitate and signed him at the beginning of this season when he turned 18.
Real Madrid has a star-studded lineup where Kubo would have struggled to get game time. So he was quickly loaned out to Real Mallorca, who has been newly promoted to LaLiga. Kubo has three goals and two assists from 24 appearances – 13 of which were as a starter, in this season before it was halted by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Kubo told AS: “First, I have to say I am very grateful to Barcelona and also FC Tokyo who took me in after the sanction, to Yokohama Marinos, who loaned me for half a season and now Mallorca. We know that there was different interest from clubs, but my family, my agents and I didn’t want to know anything until I was the correct age because of the sanction.”
“When I turned 18 on July 4, Madrid said they wanted to come to Japan. They visited me and that was a really nice touch. When I reached the right age, I had a massive chance to pick a team and I picked Real Madrid because of their interest in me. I am very grateful. And now I am very Madridista.”
He further added: “I didn’t know [Messi] in person but he is a reference for many young players who want to be footballers and also young players who are footballers. When I was young, I watched his videos. He is a great footballer.”
“He is a reference point for me and for many left-footed players who aren’t very tall and whose main characteristics are dribbling and the way they control the ball. Messi is the peak of that.”
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