It was long. It was tough. About 3 years since the "phantom goal" that ignited Ajinomoto Stadium, the time has finally come. Keita YAMASHITA, who has been persevering since his transfer to the 2022 season, finally scored his first blue and red goal in the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 3 match against Nagoya Grampus on February 26. A single blow that overcame difficult days of a serious injury and long-term rehabilitation at his loan destination. What kind of emotions were put into that goal?
There is a word that has been stuck in my heart and won't leave.
"We have to score and write a good article again."
It was a phrase that YAMASHITA, who had been away from the pitch for over a year due to injury, spit out. Since playing for Sagan Tosu on August 14, 2021, he has been far from that joy. He scored a goal on April 6, 2022 in the 7th round of the 2022 Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Vissel Kobe, wearing the blue and red jersey, and was overjoyed. However, with the support of VAR, the goal was canceled. Since then, his first goal after the transfer has been postponed.
In the 2023 season, he sought a place to shine and transferred to Shonan Bellmare on a temporary basis. However, in July, he injured his left meniscus and returned to Tokyo again without being able to fully perform. From there, Yamashita endured over a year of grueling rehabilitation, expressing his gratitude to the trainers and others who supported him without hesitation.
"I am grateful to those who have sacrificed their time and supported me, accepting everything."
Last season, I steadily started to walk the road to recovery by participating in 6 games towards the end of the league. At that time, I asked Yamashita if he had returned to his pre-injury state. In response to that question, he said, "Rather than returning to my pre-injury state, I want to create a new version of myself," and continued.
"I want to work inside the penalty area. Above all, I want to become a forward who can score goals. Post-play and defense are important, but a forward who can score goals will always help the team. I want to appeal and show myself step by step, starting from practice matches."
After that, the opening words followed. The striker's pride, which swallowed up the anxiety towards a comeback and then spat it out, stabbed deeply.
And finally, the time has come. On February 26, 2025, in the 3rd round of the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League, he took to the pitch from the start against Nagoya. The day before, Yamashita had openly stated, "Honestly, I'm only thinking about scoring. It's the most important thing for me right now. I think that's what it means to be a professional, whether or not you can seize your chance here," as he prepared for his first start in 1025 days.
It was truly a case of "actions speak louder than words".
In the 31st minute of the first half, which was tied 0-0, Sato Keiin received a ground cross ball in the area and pushed it in with his right foot, scoring the opening goal. In the next moment, something that had been building up and forgotten was released all at once. He shouted, jumped up, punched his fist, and hugged his teammates. Yamashita said with a wry smile, "I was so happy that I don't really remember much."
It has been 1292 days since the last time. "I don't want to talk about it too much, but I guess it can't be helped. There were a lot of things going on, but the coach, coaching staff, and trainers supported me through my rehabilitation. I wanted to repay them and it feels good to score and win," he said with a big smile.
It was a shot filled with gratitude and hard work. But for a goal scorer, this is undoubtedly the best medicine.
"I am grateful to my teammates for that "medicine" that I needed. I think it was a really big goal for me. I think it was necessary for me at this moment, so I want to continue to aim for goals greedily. I am not satisfied with just this one game, as my senior Yuto NAGATOMO always says from practice, "Keep shining". I want to show that shining feeling and work hard with a calm mind."
The way Keita spoke with a smile changed the way the words pierced my heart like a thorn. I don't know if I wrote a good article, but I'll try to draw it a little better next time. It should come soon.
(Titles omitted in text)
Text by Yohhei Baba (Freelance Writer)
