A striker who has announced his retirement
and is etched in the club's history
Every person and player has a story. '2024 PLAYER’S REVIEW' introduces all the blue and red warriors who fought through the 2024 season, player by player. What thoughts did they carry as they went through the season? Confidence, a sense of achievement, challenges, joy, regret... Reflecting on this season's battles through the words of each individual.
It was truly a bolt from the blue. Diego OLIVEIRA, who has led the team with his strong physicality and mentality, suddenly announced his retirement from professional football. Although he had to leave the field due to injury early in the season, he dominated as a lone striker with his physical play, key passes that utilized his teammates, and dedicated defense from the front line. He marked four consecutive league matches with goals and updated the all-time highest goal record for J1 clubs, demonstrating his unwavering presence. The man who always fought for the team has made a significant decision as a professional football player.
Tokyo became the last club for Diego OLIVEIRA in his active career. "It's rare to find a player who has served as the ace striker for such a long time at one club," says Keigo HIGASHI. It's probably because he has been with the same age teammate wearing number 10 for many years that he understands the greatness of it.
He fought as a center forward for a long time. It is not easy to find a player to replace him. Naturally, he has become a well-known presence to opposing teams, and their marking focuses on him. By trying to become a target to receive the ball, scenes of him being tackled and falling down have been recreated many times in recent years. In a practice match held during the Miyazaki camp before the season opener, the intense marking he faced in the rain was impressive. Naturally, after the season started, the level of caution was high, and there were fewer matches where he could play freely. Nevertheless, his stance did not change.
"Especially when the opponent is a defensive team, there are many defenders, and it's inevitable that I will be closely marked. My playing style is also being studied by the opponents, and as a team, our style this season has been focused on attacks from the wings, so it's expected that the marking will be concentrated there, and I think it's unavoidable. I have been doing my best, but even so, I haven't been able to achieve good results."
With 15 goals in the 2023 season, a total of 85 goals in the J1 League. If he adds 15 more goals, he will reach the milestone of 100 goals in the J1 League, but unfortunately, he did not match last season's pace.
"It was a difficult season. It was a very disappointing year where we couldn't win a title and couldn't even compete for one. In soccer, results are everything. I believe that is the essence of it. I have always hoped to win the J-League, but I regret not being able to achieve that."
He boasts the most appearances among foreign players who have played in Tokyo, and he has also surpassed Lucas to set the record for the most goals in the club's J1 League history. By retiring here in Tokyo, Diego has truly become a blue-red man and will leave his name in the club's history.
"I don't think scoring goals is my only job. There are various things like keeping possession, advancing the ball, and of course, defending as well. I'm not satisfied with the number of goals I've scored this season, but I've played as much as I could in other aspects. There are seasons where I've scored a lot of goals, and there are seasons like this one where I couldn't score. It hasn't always been good times, but I'm very happy to have fought in Tokyo."
Thank you for everything, Diego. Your name will be spoken for the next 100 years.
Text by Katsu Goto (Freelance Writer)
