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, so I was very happy to be offered as a player to succeed such a great striker. The club also said, "We want an early response," and my desire to perform well in Tokyo in the new season grew stronger, so I decided 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 fully feel those expectations, and I want to do my best to play with all my strength to meet 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 had a chance to talk yet, but I plan to ask various things through messages later. Personally, I value a learning attitude, and I believe it's necessary to know many things to fit in with the team, so I would be happy to receive various pieces of 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 together 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 at Tosu, and since we can be teammates in Tokyo this season, I want to fight together with everyone, including the other players, and contribute to the team myself.
──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 enthusiasm generated by the fans and supporters felt very challenging from the perspective of away players. From now on, being able to fight with the support as the home team, I personally think it will work very advantageously.
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 always believed in my own strength and fought hard. I feel that last season, Tosu's trust in me was a big factor. I believe that trust brought me good results, and I was able to score many goals, which boosted my 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?
To be honest, I didn't have many opportunities during my time at Yokohama FC, but being trusted at Tosu became a great motivation for me. I believe that those around me bringing out my strengths led to good results. Also, my eldest daughter was born last spring. Since then, I have scored 12 goals. I definitely think my daughter’s presence has been a big factor (laughs).
──Please tell us about the characteristics of your play.
My style is strong in creating one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper by breaking through behind the last line and scoring by dribbling past defenders. My greatest confidence lies in my speed. I believe my best weapon is using my speed to break into space and connect it all the way 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 as well. The way I receive passes varies, so the shape leading up to the shot differs, but if the ball is brought to me, I am confident I can score. I want to score many 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 everyone understand my playing style, and I also want to understand everyone's playing styles. If we can do that, I believe we can score many goals and achieve good results. I am looking forward to a wonderful 2025 season.
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 personally know Morishige, but of course 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 goals for this season.
I want to perform in a way that contributes to the team above all else. I believe every player feels the same, but I want to win a title in Tokyo and become a player who goes down in history.
──By the way, what kind of character are you when you're away from the pitch?
I think he is the type to show fighting spirit on the pitch, but off the pitch, he has a cheerful personality and sometimes jokes around with Japanese players. He is also interested in Japanese culture and wants to learn more about it.
──Are you saying that you are the mood maker?
I usually joke around and basically have a cheerful personality. However, during matches, I don't mind being asked for various things, and I also intend to ask my teammates for what is needed to win the game.
──Have you gotten used to life in Japan?
No problem. I really like living in Japan. If possible, I want to play in Japan for many years to come.
──Finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
Wearing Tokyo's uniform, I will always be conscious of contributing to the team and fight so as not to bring shame as a representative of everyone. I believe we will definitely achieve good results, so I hope you will trust the players and support us. Please feel free to call me "Hian."
──Do you like the color blue and red?
I have often played in blue uniforms until now, so I am sure the Tokyo uniform will suit me very well. From now on, I will come to 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)
