"I want to be a player who makes things happen"
Become a key player of the team with my own style
FW 28 Leon NOZAWA
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?
For Leon NOZAWA, who had repeatedly been on developmental loan transfers, the 2025 season finally became a year in which he was able to establish his own position. As his playing style was recognized and his opportunities to play increased, he grew more determined to truly become the core of the team. Wearing number 28, he is eager to show his individuality and deliver visible results.
For Leon NOZAWA, who has repeatedly been on development-type loan transfers, the 2025 season was undoubtedly the season he truly established himself at FC Tokyo. The 707 minutes of league playtime surpassed his previous longest during the 2023 season when he was with Matsumoto Yamaga FC for half a year. Wearing the blue and red, he recorded 1 goal and 1 assist, with that one goal being the opening goal in the Sec. 15 match of the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Yokohama F.Marinos, which became a major turning point in advancing toward staying in the J1 League. After accomplishing a memorable and significant task at Nissan Stadium, he was never left off the bench in matches after July, except during the congested schedule of consecutive games.
Of course, the hungry wolf is not satisfied. "It was still not enough. I should have been able to leave better numbers, play in more matches, and there were more opportunities to contribute to victories," he reveals his craving feelings.
At times serving as the kicker and orchestrating large plays, he delivered high-quality final passes as a playmaker and showed hard work both offensively and defensively. It was a season in which he evolved beyond the role of a forward and developed as a footballer. However, on the other hand, that may have also limited his growth.
"I also feel that the range of things I can do has expanded. Of course, I feel myself growing little by little. But I was too caught up in that and couldn't fully bring out my strengths and weapons."
Contributing to the team by meeting the requirements sought by Coach Matsuhashi and fulfilling the conditions to participate in official matches. That attitude led to establishing his own position. However, because he blended well with the team and functioned effectively, he regrets not being able to fully express his own style. With that reflection in mind, Nozawa welcomed the new year.
"The reason why I am being selected to play in matches is because I have unique strengths that only I possess. I have to bring those out. There are players who have returned to Tokyo and new players who have joined, and with the competition becoming more intense, numbers are also necessary to survive. Regarding fitting into the team, I have gradually started to get a grasp of it since last season, so it is really important to blend my own style into that and make it distinctly mine."
The self-proclaimed catchphrase is 'Smiling Striker.' Whether positioned as a winger or a forward, the theme for the new season is to clearly demonstrate a stronger attitude toward scoring goals.
"If I come on, something will definitely happen. If I become that kind of player, I will also become the center of Tokyo," he says with high expectations for himself. The man who was once the ace of FC Tokyo U-18 is now at the core of the top team──. The day when number 28 completes this story may not be far in the future.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Masaru Goto (Freelance Writer)
