Kashima Antlers – 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.

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 perennial bench-warmer, a former Zelvia legend, and a prodigy who got lost: stories of rebirth in this 2025 J1 League.

Kei Chinen used to be the third or fourth option upfront – now he’s become a key midfielder for Kashima Antlers.

The return of the “fantasista”, a Brazilian sniper, and general commanders in the midfield: these have been the Top 10 moves in J1 last Winter.

Yuya Osako (deservedly) won the MVP and trained Vissel Kobe to their first title, but he left also some “what if” questions along the way.

A former J1 MVP, an interesting striker from J2, and a gem from Yamagata: these are the Top 10 transfers from last Winter in J1 League

From Yasuhito Endo’s true successor to anonymous Spanish second division gigs: the story of Gaku Shibasaki.