National teams 04 October 2023, 10:25

Takumi Minamino is back with Japan!

Building on a successful start to the season on an individual level with three goals and as many assists, the AS Monaco midfielder has been called up with the Blue Samurai for two matches against Canada and Tunisia.

He’s back with his international team! After being called up for the World Cup at the end of 2022, Takumi Minamino had since not been called up by coach Hajime Moriyasu. That is, until this Wednesday when the Monegasque midfielder appeared in a list of 25 names to play a friendly against Canada, on October 13, then the Kirin Cup against Tunisia, four days later, on the 17th.

Japan has announced the players called up to the national team, with Takumi Minamino and Yuta Nakayama back in the squad!

🇯🇵 They are set to face Canada and Tunisia on the 13th and 17th of October, respectively.

Follow us on https://t.co/3kplHAJOrl for more information.… pic.twitter.com/oFeObWkKZp

— J.LEAGUE Official (English) (@J_League_En) October 4, 2023

The UNFP Ligue 1 August Player of the Month

This call-up rewards his sparkling start to the season, including winning the UNFP August Player of the Month award. Already in good form during preseason with two goals against Bayern and Betis Sevilla, the Rouge et Blanc number 18 has since continued his momentum.

TAKI TAKI, TAKI TAKI RUUMMBA 🕺🏽🇯🇵

L’attaquant monégasque a tout simplement été étincelant ce mois-ci ! Il devient le second lauréat japonais des Trophées UNFP du Joueur du Mois de @Ligue1UberEats après Daisuke Matsui lors de la saison 2005-2006 ☺️ #TropheesUNFP pic.twitter.com/JX4D8wXdLx

— UNFP (@UNFP) September 19, 2023

Getting started with a double against Strasbourg including the 100th goal of his career, he scored again in Nantes, a few days later. He is also building his reputation as a creator with three assists, fully fulfilled in his new role behind the attacker.

The Asian Cup in the future

“Taki” is therefore no stranger to helping his team to first place in the league after seven rounds of play. And he will once again have the opportunity to prove his very good form with the Blue Samurai, during two matches which will serve as preparation for the Asian Cup, which will take place from January 12 to February 10, 2024, in Qatar.

It’s an opportunity to win his place to compete in a competition that he knows well having been a losing finalist in the previous edition in 2019, despite a goal from him in the final.

Congratulations and good luck Taki! 🇯🇵

📅 Japan’s schedule:

Friendly – Friday, October 13: Japan – Canada at Stade Denka in Niigata (12:35)
Kirin Cup – Tuesday, October 17 : Japan – Tunisia at Stade du Parc Misaki in Kobe (12:10)