A mental pillar on and off the pitchAiming to win a title that changes history
DF 2 Sei MUROYA
Introducing all the Blue-Red warriors participating in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League 2026 season in 'PLAYERS FILE 2026.' What kind of thoughts do the players hold, and with what determination are they preparing to face the special half-season tournament and the year ahead?
In May of the 2025 season, Sei MUROYA made his return to the red and blue after about five seasons and became a key figure in the team's comeback in the second half of the league. He fully leveraged the experience he gained in Germany, including his strength in one-on-one situations and his desire to win, which also changed the mindset of his teammates. The player wearing number 2 is aiming for Tokyo to become a consistently winning team. We delved into his thoughts as he fights to change history.
With overwhelming fighting spirit, Sei MUROYA saved the team that had once fallen into the relegation zone and greatly raised the standard of the team training in Kodaira. He blew away the struggles from the early part of last season, and the red and blue uniform came alive on the pitch. Leading from the back and spreading the fighting spirit to the team was the number 2 who returned to Tokyo.
After concluding his battle in Germany and deciding to return to the Red and Blue last June, the team simultaneously changed their system from a three-back to a four-back formation. Initially, he showed a strong presence as a right side back, contributing both offensively and defensively with tenacious defense and daring overlaps. From mid-season, he played as a left side back, balancing the overall team and bringing stability through fierce battles for the ball while enhancing the strengths of those around him. In last season's league matches, the games in which Sei MUROYA appeared resulted in 8 wins, 5 draws, and 4 losses. The team earned 29 points in 17 matches, escaping the relegation battle and ultimately finishing in 11th place.
As he reflected, "I wonder if I was able to show my fighting spirit," there was clearly a change in the team's battle. The fighting attitude and desire to win that he developed in Germany were conveyed to those around him, and his teammates unanimously praised, "Naru raised the standard of training." Something definitely got through. That is precisely why the goals he wants to achieve from here on will grow larger.
He is a man who always puts the team first. "(After returning to the country) I haven't set many personal goals; I've really been thinking about what I can do to help the team win. Of course, I want to perform at a high level in every match, but above all, I want to play while constantly thinking about what I can do to help us win," he said about his mindset after returning. He carefully gauges the atmosphere around him to help the team win, speaks little, and has a tremendous impact through his actions. That is the kind of player Sei MUROYA is.
The Okinawa Itoman camp held until last week. The team, which faced Nagoya Grampus in the season's first practice match, saw him enter at the front wearing the captain's armband on his left arm.
"I will be 32 years old this year, and I believe it is an age where I need to firmly unite the team not only during matches but also off the pitch. However, my playing style, what I need to focus on, and the role I must fulfill will not change, so rather than whether I wear the captain's armband or not, I always want to play with that mindset."
Looking back at the signing announcement at the end of May last season, Muroya said, "I will fight with conviction to become a significant part of Tokyo's history." We were able to hear his true intentions once again.
"Tokyo is truly a club that must win titles. I came back to Tokyo for that reason. Everyone on the team must believe in the process we are working on together, trust Rikizo MATSUHASHI (Coach Matsuhashi), and believe in the club and the team as a whole. Without becoming an organization that can fight with that belief, we cannot reach the championship. I think once we win one title, we can become a winning team, but above all, that first one is the hardest. I want to somehow grasp that while I am with Tokyo, and I believe it will be something very significant for my life as well. I returned to Tokyo because I agreed with the process the club advocates. That is why I want to win a title."
Showing a fighting spirit is the minimum. From there, it’s about how you and the team can demonstrate your strengths and steadily accumulate points with a strong competitive edge. "The team that can win the championship is the one that can secure victories by a one-goal margin. To achieve wins in tough matches, we want to become a team that demands more from each other even during practice," says Muroya, who is also eager to "add much more depth to our attacking play."
As a mental pillar, as a leader who leads the team, and as an individual side back. Sei MUROYA is determined to change the club's history and lead the red and blue to new heights with strong resolve.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tomo Aoyama
