A striker who could become the new ace in blue and red has joined Tokyo on a loan from Sagan Tosu. His greatest weapons are overwhelming speed and strong physicality. Many should remember the goal he scored in the 3rd Round of last season's J.League YBC Levain Cup. In the 2024 season, he marked 14 goals in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. With outstanding finishing ability, he has made a name for himself as a leading forward in the league. We asked Marcelo RYAN about his thoughts on moving to this new environment.
──Please tell us the reason for your decision to move to Tokyo on a temporary transfer.
I received an offer from Tokyo a little before the final match of last season's league. When I first heard about it, it was just at the time Diego OLIVEIRA was retiring, and I was very happy to receive an offer as a player to replace a great striker. The club also said, "We would like a response soon," and my desire to perform in Tokyo for the new season grew stronger, leading me to decide to transfer.
──I believe that there are great expectations not only from those involved but also from fans and supporters for Diego TABA as a source of goals to replace the player whose name has been mentioned.
Of course, I feel that expectation strongly, and I want to do my best to play in a way that meets everyone's hopes.
──By the way, did you know Diego TABA?
Last season, during the match at Ajinomoto Stadium (October 5, Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 33), I was approached and had various discussions. I was surprised by this offer, especially after Diego TABA told me, "If you continue to perform like this, you can go to a bigger club."
──Have you talked since the joining was decided?
I haven't been able to talk yet, but I would like to ask various questions through messages and so on. Personally, I value the attitude of learning, and I think it's important to know a lot in order to fit into the team, so I would be happy to receive various advice.
──Until now, we have faced Tokyo as opponents. What kind of image do you have?
I have the impression that it was a very difficult team. Jája Silva, who played with me at Sagan Tosu, told me, "Tokyo is a very good team, so you can decide without any worries." I know Seiji KIMURA and Tsubasa TERAYAMA well since we were together in Tosu, and this season I can become teammates with them in Tokyo, so I want to fight together with everyone, including the other players, and contribute to the team.
──I played at Ajinomoto Stadium for the first time at the end of last season. How was the atmosphere?
It's a wonderful stadium, isn't it? The energy created by the fans and supporters felt very challenging for the away players. From now on, we can fight with the support of our home crowd, so personally, I believe it will work to our advantage.
In the last season, which was his third season in Japan, he scored a career-high 14 goals in the league. Does he think there was a turning point for his breakthrough?
I have always believed in my own strength and fought. I feel that last season, it was significant that Tosu believed in me. I think that brought me good results, and I was able to score many goals, which gave me confidence as a striker. In the new season, I want to score even more goals for Tokyo.
──After coming to Japan in the summer of 2022, I played for Yokohama FC for two seasons, achieving a record of 5 goals in about one and a half seasons. Do you feel any personal growth?
Honestly, I didn't have many chances during my time at Yokohama FC, but being trusted at Tosu became a great motivation for me. I believe that the support from those around me helped bring out my strengths, leading to good results. Also, my eldest daughter was born last spring. Since then, I scored 12 goals. I definitely think my daughter's influence was significant (laughs).
──Please tell us about the characteristics of your play.
This style excels at creating one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper by breaking through the last line or evading defenders to score. My greatest confidence lies in my speed. I believe my biggest weapon is using my speed to break into space and connect to the finish.
──Lucas RIAN's powerful breakthrough was very impressive when he scored a goal against Tokyo in the 3rd Round of the J.League YBC Levain Cup last May. Looking back at the goal scene in Tosu, not only his speed and power but also his shooting skill stands out.
I am confident in my finishing. The shape of the shot varies depending on how I receive the pass, but if the ball is delivered to me, I am confident I can score. I want to score a lot of goals.
──In your first year of transfer in Tokyo, what kind of play do you expect to show and what kind of performance do you anticipate?
I want to quickly blend into 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 many goals and achieve good results. I expect the 2025 season to be a wonderful year.
Diego TABA and Masato MORISHIGE mentioned that the player who left the strongest impression on them from last season's matches was Hian.
That's great to hear. I don't know Morishige personally, but I certainly recognize him. I believe he is a player of very high quality and excels at stopping forwards.
──Please tell us your goals for this season.
I want to contribute to the team in any way I can. I believe all players feel the same, but I want to become a player who makes history by winning a title in Tokyo.
──By the way, what kind of character are you when you're away from the pitch?
I think I am the type to show fighting spirit on the pitch, but off the pitch, I have a cheerful personality and sometimes joke around with Japanese players. I am also interested in Japanese culture, so I want to learn various things.
──Are you saying that you are the mood maker?
I usually joke around and I think I have a generally bright personality. However, during the match, I don't mind being asked for various things, and I intend to demand things from my teammates to win the game.
──Have you gotten used to life in Japan?
No problem. I really enjoy living in Japan. If possible, I would like to play in Japan for many more years to come.
──Finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
Wearing the Tokyo uniform, I will fight to represent everyone without shame, always being conscious of contributing to the team. I believe we can achieve good results, so I hope you will trust and support the players. Please call me "Hian."
──Do you like the color blue and red?
Until now, I often played in blue uniforms, so I think the Tokyo uniform will really suit me. From now on, I will love blue and red.
◇Profile of Marcelo RYAN
Date of Birth: June 8, 2002
Place of Origin: Brazil
Height/Weight: 188cm/83kg
Career: AD Confiança (Brazil) → EC Bahia (Brazil) → Yokohama FC → Sagan Tosu
J1 League Total: 53 appearances, 17 goals / J2 League Total: 9 appearances, 2 goals
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
