It was just before the opening five years ago. Keigo HIGASHI smiled wryly and said, "I wasn't really expecting to hear about two things all of a sudden." First, he was named the successor to the number 10 jersey by Yohei KAJIYAMA, who retired after the 2018 season, and was entrusted with the captain's armband by coach Kenta HASEGAWA. Burdened with two heavy responsibilities at once, he honestly said, "It's honestly heavy," and continued on.
"I have a lot of anxieties (bitter smile). But I want to continue growing with this team. If that can turn into a good kind of pressure, that would be great. Killing two birds with one stone? I hope that happens."
I have often found myself in situations where I was asked about the ideal number 10 or the image of a captain. Each time, I would ponder, thinking, 'What could it be?' and I have seen the struggle to come up with an answer. However, I remember that he always prefaced it with, 'I don't know, but...' Perhaps he has been trying to draw out his own color in a groping manner.
In the 2019 season, Tokyo came the closest to winning the league in the club's history, and in the following season, they achieved their third Levain Cup victory. Year by year, I have strongly thought, 'I want to make this team stronger. I want to win in Tokyo.' Looking back now, I believe that from that point on, Higashi grew to love soccer and Tokyo even more.
It has always been like that.
"I want to win with everyone on this team." I have continued to say that. I don't understand the weight of love, but I have always shown it through genuine actions, not just words, for my teammates. That is the image of Keigo HIGASHI, the captain wearing the number 10 jersey, that I know.
Since the 2022 season, when he handed over the armband, Higashi has often gone through difficult times. This season was no different. Although he made the bench from the opening match, he did not get the chance to start. After suffering a right thigh muscle strain following Sec. 5 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, he was away from the squad for about two months, and even when he returned, there was no place for him. He continued to be left out of the bench members in several matches. He may have felt somewhat sidelined.
"Every season, I've aimed for the league championship, so there have been frustrations and thoughts about that. That's why I even thought I wanted them to utilize me better. It's not about whether I get to play in the matches or not. I'm not the type to get discouraged if I can't play. I've gained experience in this world, and I felt there was more I could do. When the team wasn't doing well, I listened to what others had to say and conveyed what I could within my limits. However, being in a position where I'm not playing has its limitations. You can't understand the feeling unless you're going through the tough times together. It doesn't resonate with the others, and it inevitably feels like I'm speaking from the outside. Honestly, I found that to be difficult."
Still, he clenched his fists tightly and gritted his teeth. Even during the summer training sessions under the blazing sun, he did not skip out or complain, fighting on at 34 years old among the younger players. If he could hold on here, another chance would come. "Someday... again someday," he kept counting the days, waiting for his turn.
Such a period lasted for about 4 months, and on July 20, he made the bench for the match against Kashima Antlers in Sec. 24.
However, after that, he only warmed the bench for two consecutive matches, and in the rival matches against Kawasaki Frontale and Verdy, he was once again pushed out of the bench. The tension in the thread could snap at any moment.
There was someone watching over the appearance of the East. After the break following the match against Kashima, I was approached by Takashi HARA, who will be coaching the top team starting this season.
"If I'm not going to be appreciated for doing more... At that timing, I was called by Mr. Okuhara, and we talked about various things. I really think that was a big deal."
During his active playing days, Okuhara, who first wore the blue and red number 10, said, "I have always thought that I could understand the pressure of not being able to wear the number 10 a little better than others. The frustration of everyone expecting you and wondering why the number 10 is not on the field can turn into a rebellious spirit. I have gone through that myself, and I believe that as long as he has the opportunity, Keigo will be just fine."
In the later years of his career, Okuhara had a similar experience. He knew how much it could save him just to have someone next to him who understood him. Therefore, he quietly cared for Higashi, understanding that this was not just hindsight, but that game control and the ability to unite the players were needed by the team. He thought that Keigo HIGASHI was necessary to win, so he had been looking for an opportunity to help.
Okuhara realized through the conversation that Higashi's limits were near. "He was holding on, and he was somehow managing to stay at the edge." Therefore, he immediately took action and asked coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, "After working so hard, how can Keigo get to play in the match?" The coach responded, "I trust him, and he is a player I like." He advised, "If that's the case, I think it will be tough if he himself doesn't understand how he can get to play in the match." The response was then conveyed to Higashi, who made his return to play in about five months during the match against SANGA S on August 24 in Sec. 28.
"I thought I played well, but often it didn't seem to get across for some reason. I was wondering what I was doing this for, it was tough. Then Mr. Okuhara talked to me. I was happy to realize that there are people who understand me."
In the following match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, he came on as a substitute and dramatically changed the one-sided flow of the game. The team rallied from a 3-goal deficit to just a 1-point difference, and Higashi reflected on the match by saying, "I didn't do anything special."
"I had prepared to make an impact within the given time. I fought at key points and, from the outside, I thought it would be good to suggest a few things that were lacking and how to improve. Until then, I had been pushing too far forward, so I tried to switch to the opposite side and even mixed in some long balls on purpose. I was able to show in the match the plays I had envisioned, like how to make vertical fast attacks effective."
And then, the long-awaited moment arrives. On September 14, during Sec. 31 against Nagoya Grampus at the Japan National Stadium, the opportunity for the first starting lineup of the season finally came. Before the match, Higashi said, "Just being able to play in a match is enjoyable after not playing for so long," revealing his difficult feelings.
"My daughter has always asked me, 'Why can't I enter with Dad?' There were times when those words really hit me hard."
Holding his daughter's hand and carrying his son, the player with number 10 came onto the pitch with energy. It was the 13th minute of the first half. From his own half, Ryotaro ARAKI delivered a vertical pass to Teruhito NAKAGAWA at the front, who boldly ran towards the goal. Acting as a decoy to create space, he pushed the rebound from NAKAGAWA's shot into the goal with momentum.
Starting with the opening goal that excited the large crowd gathered at the National Stadium, the team achieved a resounding victory with a season-high of four goals. The previously subdued voices were lifted, and they laughed, saying, "The goal was a gift, and it was too good to be true," taking on a father's expression.
"The best part is being able to enter with my children. However, I was thinking of just enjoying the soccer. I haven't played in so long, so just being able to play on such a National stage makes me feel happy. I want to show a cool side of myself both as a player and as a dad. It's not just about the goals, but I wanted the kids to see me fighting hard on the pitch."
It was not just about scoring. The determination of a professional in his 16th season was evident throughout. He skillfully adjusted his teammates' positions and continuously encouraged them with his voice. He played fluidly as if he had grown wings, showing the surrounding players, who had been rigid, that "this is how you should do it. It's okay to do it this way too." He brilliantly brought together a team that had been disjointed, opened the door to victory that had been closed for about two months, and welcomed joy back to the blue and red after seven matches.
"I don't understand everything, and I don't think I'm always right. It's important to do what is required, and it would be great if that goes well. However, if it doesn't, we need to think and make judgments based on the situation. I've played in many matches in Tokyo, and I need to give back and communicate my experiences. It's not just about words, but also about actions. However, I believe that can only be achieved by playing together. I think I've been able to show that a little."
With this victory, the team will achieve three consecutive wins and return home to Ajinomoto Stadium. As if to be brought to life by the east, their performance has improved with each match. In recent seasons, they have faced their share of negative words and criticism. Nevertheless, the player wearing number 10 has proven that he is essential to the blue and red. I have always considered the fans and supporters as companions. Therefore──.
"I don't really care about critical words. That's part of soccer, so I want people to express their thoughts freely. On the contrary, being praised for poor performance feels strange, and it's good to have various opinions. I am not influenced by them at all. I am truly happy and grateful for those who support me. That said, I don't think much about negative opinions."
Higashi said, "That's not important, but recently it's been amazing," and moved on to the next topic.
"The fans and supporters have come together, haven't they? They are really motivated, and that energy is reaching the players. It's reassuring to have that kind of support even away games. Everyone is increasing their passionate play in response to that. It really feels like we are all fighting together, and that's what makes it great. We have to do this to become number one. It's an extreme statement, but if there's even a one percent chance of becoming number one, we have to fight. Each match is for that purpose. There's nothing else. From here on, we need to express what we can in the remaining matches. Regardless of the opponent or the rankings, we all need to approach each match as if it's the most important one. "
The ideal number 10 is──. The person from Tokyo still cannot provide that answer.
"I was asked quite a bit when I wore the number 10 during the London Olympics, but honestly, I don't really know. I purely think the number 10 is cool. It has a strong image of a technician or fantasista, but I'm not just that; I fight and end up covered in mud after the match. However, recently I've come to think that a muddy number 10 is also cool. So, I think that kind of number 10 is good too. I'm not sure if I can live up to the ideals around me, but I intend to play with pride and honor."
No matter how discouraged I felt, the pride I had built up in my back always gave me a little push of courage from behind. Okuhara, who pushed my back, said with a smile, "I only have trust in Keigo now." It seems that by connecting and binding together like the two of them, the team becomes stronger.
"I thought that Okahara-san, who reached out to me during tough times, had a lot of courage, and I really felt that this person is trustworthy. I don't want to talk about anything other than my true feelings. Because it doesn't mean anything to pretend or put on a facade. Life, just like soccer, is like that."
I have lived not by good and evil or profit and loss, but guided by beauty and ugliness. I struggle to express my honest feelings and pursue the scenery yet unseen. Over the past few seasons, I have begun to exude an even more masculine aura.
After all, I can only think of Keigo HIGASHI; the number 10 in blue and red suits him perfectly.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
