The prologue of this riddle story might begin like this.
"There was a number 10 named Takashi OKUHARA in the blue and red. He loved to fantasize about all sorts of things and was a man who turned the ideas he came up with into reality just as he imagined."
The FIFA World Cup 2026 has entered the knockout stage, showing even greater excitement. Amidst this, one player prepared for his journey and crossed the sea.
Ryunosuke SATO, who fulfilled his lifelong dream of challenging himself in Europe, uttered these words just before boarding the plane.
"In the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, I was initially behind, but I believe I was able to lead the team in the end. Towards the end of the season, I was the core of this team and was able to demonstrate with my play that I was aware of being the ace. There are few Japanese players in La Liga (Spain), and I understand that it is not an easy path. Even so, I have a strong desire to challenge myself in such a place and want to become a player who can succeed on the world stage. I have no choice but to work harder than ever. I watch the World Cup with feelings of frustration. However, if asked whether I can step onto the current stage and perform well, I still do not have 100 percent confidence. That is the honest truth, so I want to fill that gap over the next four years and stand at the center of the pitch in the next tournament."
On July 7th, FC Tokyo announced Ryunosuke's permanent transfer to the prestigious Spanish club Valencia CF. The words written in that release read like a letter of gratitude addressed to the blue and red, where he spent 10 years, and to Fagiano Okayama, where he played the 2025 season. He explained the reason like this.
"I joined FC Tokyo when I was about 10 years old, so I have many memories spanning roughly 10 years. I don’t think I could have come this far without Tokyo, so I was able to meet various staff and coaches, and I believe I learned many things from each of them. I have vivid memories going back to the Advanced Class days. Each of them sincerely faced me."
One of them, Takashi OKUHARA, the first number 10 of the blue and red, made a firm decision in his heart when he took off his uniform.
"Someday, I want the number 10 of FC Tokyo to become the number 10 of the Japan national team. I want to nurture players like that."
In that way, he served as a coach for both the top team and the academy, and it was during his time as head of development that he met Ryunosuke.
"His physical size was a bit small, and he wasn't a player with clear, distinctive features. However, he seemed to have a strong will to play."
That was the first impression when he had just joined FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi. While watching from the outside, there was a moment when that impression completely changed.
"When the upper grades joined, he became withdrawn and couldn't express himself well. However, among his peers, his slightly aggressive side was actually quite appealing, showing a strong will and clearly conveying what he wanted to do. He communicated the style of play he wanted to those around him and tried to express it during the game. I personally thought he was the kind of player I really liked."
In 2022, when Okuhara was appointed head coach of FC Tokyo U-18, Ryunosuke was also promoted. As a manager, Okuhara continuously stimulated Ryunosuke’s high sensitivity. In paired technical training, he paired him with the then ace Naoki KUMATA (currently on loan to Iwaki FC). “Kuma is very caring, and Ryu is good at interacting with the seniors. Their mutual reactions were great, and the two of them moved dynamically together.” In this way, Ryunosuke was naturally integrated into the team and was selected as a starter in the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Soccer Premier League from his first year. It was the final match of a season in which he consistently appeared in games.
"For the third-year students, it was their retirement match, and they lost to Kiryu Daiichi High School. In that game, Ryu was in terrible form. The third-years were substituted, but he was the only one who was never taken off. Because I understood the intention behind that... I cried about five times that year, but Ryu probably cried about ten times at that moment (laughs)."
In his closing remarks after the match, Okuhara deliberately called out "Ryunosuke." Then, unable to hold back his emotions, Ryunosuke—
"With tears welling up in his eyes, he said, 'It's such an important match for the third-years, yet I was so useless...'
Such things continued until the day the third-year students left the team.
"There was no falsehood in those words and emotions. Because he is that kind of player, I believed I could entrust the team to him. Although he was a new second-year student, I entrusted Ryu with the number 10 for the following year."
In the 2023 season, he accompanied the top team from the pre-season camp and continued a lifestyle of moving back and forth between the U-18 and the two teams.
Then, from the group stage to the Final Round, he played full-time in every match of the 47th Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-18) held in summer. Although they finished as runners-up, it became an irreplaceable time for this mentor and his protégé. After every match, it became a routine for Okuhara and Ryunosuke to kneel side by side by the pitch still filled with excitement and talk together. He revealed the reason for this as follows.
"After every match, we held a 3 to 5-minute meeting to review the game. Not focusing on my own play, but on how the team performed. How we could have turned a draw into a win. How we could have scored. I entrusted Ryu with carrying the responsibility of the match and managing that aspect of game control. To play in the top team, you have to be able to communicate, and I wanted him to reach the point where his words and actions could show an understanding of what was happening overall."
Throughout the tournament, the words he expressed gradually changed, and toward the end, he began saying things like "The substitute players created a good atmosphere," and he started asking about the intentions behind player selections," Okuhara said with narrowed eyes.
The student also nostalgically looked back on this episode from a few years ago.
"It still lives very strongly within me even now. Mr. Okuhara especially faced me sincerely and taught me many things. Including aspects unrelated to everyday soccer, he was someone who would tighten me up when I was feeling at ease. When times were tough, he supported me from the closest place. I am truly grateful."
His true value was demonstrated in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League. Although he fell behind in the early part of the league due to participating in the AFC U23 Asian Cup, where he won both the tournament MVP and top scorer awards, he gradually led the team both offensively and defensively. He delivered an outstanding performance with 6 goals and 1 assist in 19 matches. His achievements resonated across the sea to Europe, attracting acquisition offers from prestigious Spanish clubs boasting six league championships.
"I'm not consciously trying to play flashy football. After all, I work hard without slacking off and fight with sweat on both offense and defense. That might be one of the factors that encourages someone to push me forward. On top of that, I've started to make a difference in attack. My goal has been to leave a transfer fee for FC Tokyo, the club that took care of me, when I depart. I'm happy about that, and at the same time, I believe it was thanks to the support and encouragement from many people that I was able to perform well in just half a season and receive offers. In the new country, the level will rise in every aspect more than ever before, but I believe I can do it. I think continuing to perform well and deliver even a little good news to Japan will be my way of giving back, so I want to become an even bigger player on the world stage and hope to be pushed forward."
He fulfilled his dream and set off for Europe, but showed no sign of satisfaction.
Japan was defeated 1-2 by Brazil in the first knockout stage match of the World Cup and left the tournament with their dreams unfinished. Although I could not stand on that stage, I intend to carry the awareness and responsibility as a player who will show a new perspective for the next tournament four years from now.
"I want to continue standing out among my peers. From now on, I’m reaching an age where I can no longer be called young. I believe it’s necessary for a player like me to quickly become a central figure in the national team in order to see a new horizon. I want to become that kind of presence myself."
At Ajinomoto Stadium, the blue and red song singers raised a farewell banner for the departing man.
Shine on the world, Ryunosuke of the Blue and Red──.
Ryunosuke, who has faced himself and learned to carry the team on his shoulders, is trying to respond to their feelings with words that seem like the wisdom of the number 10 jersey.
"I want to reach a stage that no Japanese player has ever attained. If I succeed in La Liga, at Valencia, I believe I can reach a place no one has ever seen before. I think it’s a club full of that potential. Rather than surpassing someone else, I want to establish my own career and player identity. It’s truly a blessing to have so many people supporting me, and I want to cherish those people. I want to continue being a player who is supported, and I would be happy if the number of such people increases worldwide."
And then, Okuhara's dream eventually became Ryunosuke's dream as well.
"That is also my own dream. Rather than for Mr. Okuhara, I want to seize it as my own goal. Someday, I want to become Japan’s number 10 and play in front of everyone as Japan’s ace. I’m off!"
The story woven by the inheritance of dreams has only just begun. The words spoken at the moment of departure are sure to be nurtured from now on on Spanish soil.
Without a moment's hesitation, he steps toward the door on the right and swings it wide open──.
Will the one who bursts through the opened door be Ryunosuke SATO wearing the Japan national team’s number 10 jersey? Or will it be another player?
Even Frank R. Stockton does not know. However, only Ryunosuke SATO can freely rewrite that ending.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
Photos by Kenichi Arai
