500 Matches──.
Masato MORISHIGE's total number of appearances in the J1 League has finally reached the great milestone of becoming the 11th player in history to do so. His journey, which began with the first step in Sec. 2 of the J1 League against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on March 12, 2006, was never an easy path.
"Looking back, I guess there are more bitter memories. But I think that's just part of who I am."
The commemorative 500th match appearance was achieved in the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 20 match against Cerezo Osaka, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
"It might have become a bitter memory. I wanted to win and celebrate, but as a defender, I have to reflect on the fact that while we scored 2 goals, we easily conceded 2 goals."
He also played in the following away match against Gamba Osaka, extending his record to 501 games, tied for 10th all-time. He says, "I haven't really been conscious of the record," but looking back, it was neither an overwhelming amount of time nor did it pass in the blink of an eye.
"It's not fast, right? But I don't think it took too long either. However, when I heard that there are only about 10 players who have actually reached 500 appearances, I once again thought it might be an amazing record. After hearing various things, I finally started to feel it a little myself."
No matter how carefully you build up your daily routine, injuries are always close by. This has been continuously tested in daily practice. There have been many young talents who boldly challenged themselves as the "post-Morishige." It is also a record built by overcoming such players and earning the right to participate in matches. That is why the player himself cites the following factors for his achievement.
"The biggest factor was definitely the presence of rivals and teammates. After turning professional, there were players of the same age and generation who were playing matches from their first or second year. Seeing that made me feel frustrated, which motivated me to keep working hard. When I was playing in 200 or 300 matches, I was able to go to the Japan national team and improve myself through friendly competition."
As my perspective broadened, the scenery I saw also changed. Each time, there was someone who made me feel a sense of crisis and impatience. That too became nourishment.
"Between 400 and 500 matches, I have seen peers and contemporaries quit one after another. Among them, there were players who kept pushing themselves, and personally, I have been supported by those people and had a strong desire not to lose to them. Rather than constantly fighting against myself, I believe it is because I have been competing fiercely with friends and rivals that I am still able to play football like this today."
"You're humble." In response to my words that slipped out, he echoed back, "After all, you have to stay humble." Behind the achievement of the record, he has sacrificed and spent a lot of time. Morishige nodded deeply and said, "That's right," before letting it out.
"Especially in the past three seasons or so, I have truly sacrificed many things. Because I have spent time on soccer until now, I was able to get by until around the age of 35, but after passing that point, even my daily life and how I spend time after practice changed. This includes care and maintenance time, and I think the amount has increased considerably in recent years. I am spending more time every day solely for soccer."
Sometimes, he says he has even cut down on time with his family.
"There are parts that cannot be done without understanding. It makes me focus on soccer that much. I can only be grateful for that."
Above all, I am deeply grateful to my parents in my hometown Hiroshima for giving me a strong body.
"There were injuries at times, but I believe I have been able to continue this far thanks to my parents. They suddenly contacted me the night before the match where I achieved 500 games and came all the way to Tokyo to watch. The fact that I am playing soccer energetically like this is the best way to repay them and show filial piety. I want to show that side of me more and more."
There are countless stories in my soccer life that I can't fully tell. But when I look back, I shake my head, saying it's not the time now. A true fighter always keeps a fresh spirit. Preparing for the daily battles, they stir up their freshly picked ambition.
"How far can I go...? At this age, I can't see too far ahead. But I believe that because I have given 100% effort to what I needed to do, I am where I am now. That stance won't change, and I want to continue building on what I have done so far. From here on, it's a battle with myself and a battle with age. Various players will probably join from now on, and the competition for positions will continue. I will win each of those battles one by one. For that, I just have to keep preparing and working hard, that's all there is to it."
Until the moment we put an end to the record of fierce battles──. I intend to keep expressing words filled with freshness.
"After all, when I sit cross-legged, I become useless. I'm the type who gets fired up the more I receive stimulation, so I'm grateful to be in such an environment even now."
There is only one reason why it can be done to that extent.
"I'm only aiming to win the J1 League now. Once I achieve that, I'll take it easy and relax."
Continuously seeking the moment of joy that will overwrite bitter memories. With one unchanging thing I've dreamed of so much that it kept me awake, I can live passionately from the heart.
That is Masato MORISHIGE's unchanging way of life, which has accumulated the incredible number of '500'.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
