Ideal Image Learned from Kim Seung-gyu
Mood Maker Who Pledges to Balance with the National Team
GK 31 Masataka KOBAYASHI
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?
Although he has had zero official match appearances in his two professional years, Masataka KOBAYASHI steadily increases his presence. The goalkeeper who contributed to the Asia championship as a member of the U-23 Japan national team focuses on a bright and passionate demeanor both on and off the pitch. Supporting the team with outstanding mental strength, we delved into his thoughts as he vows personal growth.
No official match appearances in red and blue during the two seasons since promotion to the top team. However, the 2025 season was a year in which Masataka KOBAYASHI experienced solid growth and a sense of fulfillment.
This is the generation aiming for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. In the 2025 season, he was selected for the U-22 Japan national team heading to the Los Angeles Olympics and participated in an England expedition. At the end of the year, he gave up his off-season to engage in national team activities. He played in the IBARAKI Next Generation Match held in Mito and then departed directly for the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In that tournament, he started in the third group stage match against the U-23 Qatar national team and contributed to a clean sheet victory. Although that was his only appearance, he showed a strong presence as a mood maker with his inherent brightness and passion, firmly supporting the team aiming for the top of Asia.
"How to bring out your character and individuality. That applies not only during play but also off the pitch. The 2025 season was when I intuitively grasped how to fully leverage my strengths for the team. I simply love talking with those around me, so I truly believe it's about the amount of communication. Communication is crucial when building a team in a short period, even at the national level, and I really think the battle starts off the pitch."
He is not just a show-off. He constantly keeps his mind fully active, trying to demonstrate through words and actions. Whether in Tokyo or the U-23 Japan national team, he has raised his intensity from training, balancing brightness and strictness while striving to improve both individual and team levels.
"Experiencing a tense game in the intense atmosphere of an international match was truly a valuable time for me. I have been gradually building up each technical skill, and here in Tokyo, I have been able to practice together with (Kim) Seung-gyu, and I also feel that I have been gaining various insights on how to think during matches."
Last season in July, he made the bench for the first time in Tokyo during an away match against Kashiwa Reysol, and seeing the scene from the bench for the first time, which he had always watched from outside, allowed him to reaffirm the place he aims for. And Kim Seung-gyu, who made his Aoaka debut in the same match against Kashiwa, has become the best role model for him. There is much to learn from the guardian aiming for his fourth FIFA World Cup appearance as a member of the South Korean national team, armed with abundant experience.
"Sungyu-san told me, 'Hold yourself firmly and strongly,' and that I must never break during a match. No matter the situation, I must never let my guard down, and it's important to keep preparing and persevering with a strong mind. I think similar situations will arise even in the national team, and his approach to matches is truly very instructive. It's also significant that I can learn this at this age."
Having won the top spot in Asia in Saudi Arabia, he set off for home. From here, he will join the team that concluded their Okinawa camp and face the increasingly intense competition for the goalkeeper position. His vision for his future as a goalkeeper is clear.
"I always want to maintain an aggressive attitude, while also being able to demonstrate the stability and trustworthy behavior of a goalkeeper like Sungyu. I intend to play with a strong spirit no matter the situation."
The 2026 season will likely require balancing with the U-23 Japan national team. Masataka KOBAYASHI vows to further grow to enhance his presence both on and off the pitch.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tomoo Aoyama
