A striker who could become the new ace in blue and red has joined the Tokyo team on a loan transfer from Sagan Tosu. His biggest weapon is his overwhelming speed and strong physicality. Many will remember the goal he scored against them in the 3rd round of last season's J.League YBC Levain Cup. In the 2024 season, he scored 14 goals in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. He has made a name for himself as a top forward with his outstanding finishing ability. We asked Marcelo RYAN, who is expected to be a new source of goals, about his thoughts on his new team.
──Please tell us the reason for deciding on a temporary transfer to Tokyo.
We received an offer from Tokyo a little before the final match of last season. When I first heard about it, it was just when Diego OLIVEIRA was retiring, so I was very happy to receive an offer as a player to replace a great striker. The club also told me, "We want an answer as soon as possible," and I decided to transfer to Tokyo with a strong desire to play well in the new season.
I believe that there are high expectations not only from officials but also from fans and supporters for Diego Taba, who has been mentioned as a potential source of goals.
Of course, I feel fully confident in meeting those expectations and I want to do my best to respond to everyone's feelings.
──Did you happen to know Diego Taba personally?
Last season, at Ajinomoto Stadium (October 5th, Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 33), I was approached and had various conversations. Diego told me, "If you continue to perform well, you can go to an even bigger club," and I was surprised by this offer.
──Have you talked since joining?
We haven't talked yet, but I would like to ask you various things through messages later. Personally, I value the attitude of learning and I think it is necessary to know many things in order to fit in with the team, so I would be happy if I could receive various advice.
──We have faced Tokyo as an opponent until now. What kind of image do you have?
I have the impression that it was a very difficult team. From Jája Silva, who played together at Sagan Tosu, I was told, "Tokyo is a very good team, so don't worry and just make the decision." I know Seiji KIMURA and Tsubasa TERAYAMA well because we were together at Tosu, and now we can be teammates in Tokyo this season. I want to contribute to the team by fighting together with everyone, including other players.
──Played for the first time at Ajinomoto Stadium at the end of last season. How was the atmosphere?
This is a wonderful stadium, isn't it? The energy created by the fans and supporters makes it very difficult for away players. From now on, we will receive support as a home team, so personally I think it will work in our favor.
──In my third season in Japan last season, I scored a career-high of 14 goals in the league. Do you have any thoughts on what led to your breakthrough?
I always believed in my own strength and fought. Last season, I felt that it was a big thing that Tosu believed in me. I think that it brought good results to myself and I was able to score a lot of goals and gained confidence as a striker. In the new season, I want to score more goals for Tokyo.
Played at Yokohama FC for 2 seasons since coming to Japan in the summer of 2022, with a record of 5 goals in about 1 and a half seasons. Do you feel that you have personally grown in any way?
Honestly, I didn't have many chances during my time at Yokohama FC, but being trusted at Tosu was a big motivation for me. I think that the people around me brought out my strengths and led to good results. Also, my first daughter was born last spring. I scored 12 goals after that. I definitely think my daughter's power was a big factor (laughs).
──Please tell us about your playing style.
My style is to create a one-on-one scene with the goalkeeper by breaking through the final line, or to dodge the defender and score a goal. My biggest strength is my speed. I believe that my greatest weapon is to use my speed to break through the space and connect to the finish.
──Lucas RIAN's powerful breakthrough was also very impressive when he scored a goal from Tokyo in the J.League YBC Levain Cup 3rd Round in May last season. Looking at the goal scene in Tosu, his speed and power are not the only things that stand out, but also his skill in shooting.
I am confident in my finishing. The way I receive passes may vary the shape of my shot, but if the ball is collected for me, I have confidence in scoring. I want to score many goals.
──What kind of play and performance do you expect to see personally in your first year of transfer to Tokyo?
I want to quickly blend in with the team and have them understand my playing style, and I also want to understand everyone's playing style. If I can do that, I believe I can score a lot of goals and achieve good results. I am looking forward to the 2025 season being a great year.
──Diego TABA and Masato MORISHIGE, the players who played against each other last season, mentioned Hiang as the most memorable player.
That's great. I don't know Morishige personally, but I am aware of him. He is a very high-quality player and I think he is excellent at stopping forwards.
──Please tell us your goal for this season.
I want to contribute to the team in any way possible. I think all players feel the same, but I want to become a player who wins titles in Tokyo and leaves a mark in history.
──By the way, what kind of character are you when you're off the pitch?
On the pitch, I think I am the type to show fighting spirit, but off the pitch, I have a cheerful personality and often exchange jokes with Japanese players. I am also interested in Japanese culture, so I want to learn more about it.
──Is it called a mood maker?
I usually make jokes and I think I have a bright personality. However, during the game, I don't mind being asked to do various things and I also plan to demand things from my teammates in order to win the game.
──Have you gotten used to living in Japan?
No problem. I really enjoy living in Japan. I hope to continue playing in Japan for many years to come.
──Finally, I would like to send a message to all the fans and supporters.
Wearing the Tokyo uniform, I will always fight to contribute to the team and not be ashamed as your representative. I believe that I can always achieve good results, so I hope you will support and trust the players. Please call me "Hian".
──Do you like blue and red?
I have mostly played in blue uniforms, so I think the Tokyo uniform will suit me very well. From now on, I will love blue and red.
◇Marcelo Ryan Player Profile
Date of Birth: June 8, 2002
Place of Birth: Brazil
Height/Weight: 188cm/83kg
Career: AD Confiança (Brazil) → EC Bahia (Brazil) → Yokohama FC → Sagan Tosu
J1 League Total 53 Games Played 17 Goals Scored / J2 League Total 9 Games Played 2 Goals Scored
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
