Column – J.League Regista

Ten-sai – Masashi Motoyama

While investigating the no. 10 geniuses who didn’t reach Europe, Masashi Motoyama is the name which immediately came up.

He’s never won the “10”, but the football IQ of Shoma Doi always granted a place in the conversation – from Yamagata to Ibaraki.

Two dynasties members, a Brazilian forward, and many folk heroes from the lower leagues: a perspective on the retirements from 2025.

A Spanish manager, an army in yellow from Chiba, and a young starlet from FC Tokyo: these were the Regista Awards for the top flight in 2025.

From a random forward in Okinawa to a menace in the top-flight, the story of Leo Ceára is a peculiar one.

Tomoki Hayakawa is the embodiment of how Kashima Antlers’ mentality is unbeatable, and what he could bring to the national team.

A Brazilian juggernaut, a miracle in Ibaraki, and a young captain: these have been the awards for 2025 in the second division.

Tomoki Takamine returned to Sapporo, having almost been rejected by Europe and J1. Instead, he’s been the saviour for Consadole in a grim year.

Naoki Mori came along and made the impossible true: Mito HollyHock are in J1.

A miracle in the North, a striker with no mercy, and the new kids on the block: these have been the awards for 2025 in the third division.