Who is the best player in Japan national football team history?

Rank the greatest players in Samurai Blue history — from Hidetoshi Nakata's Serie A brilliance to Keisuke Honda's three World Cup goals.

Hidetoshi Nakata

Japan's first global football superstar, a technically brilliant midfielder who excelled in Serie A at Perugia, AS Roma and Parma, inspiring a generation of Japanese players.

1/12

Kazuyoshi Miura

Japan's record appearance holder known as 'King Kazu', a charismatic striker who has played professional football into his 50s and is an enduring symbol of the game in Japan.

2/12

Shunsuke Nakamura

Maestro of the free kick who became a cult hero at Celtic with his spectacular curling efforts, representing Japan at three World Cups with grace and precision.

3/12

Keisuke Honda

Determined and inspirational captain who scored at three consecutive World Cups, thriving at CSKA Moscow and AC Milan as one of Japan's most influential modern players.

4/12

Shinji Kagawa

Quick, intelligent attacking midfielder who earned plaudits at Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United, becoming a linchpin of Japan's 2010s golden generation.

5/12

Yasuhito Endo

Japan's all-time most-capped outfield player with 152 appearances, a consistent and creative central midfielder who was the team's midfield general for over a decade.

6/12

Yuto Nagatomo

Energetic left back who became a fan favourite at Inter Milan and Galatasaray, one of the most decorated Japanese players in European football history.

7/12

Shinji Okazaki

Tireless striker who won the Premier League title with Leicester City and scored key goals for Japan across three World Cups, beloved for his relentless work ethic.

8/12

Makoto Hasebe

Elegant and cerebral captain who has had an extraordinary career at Eintracht Frankfurt spanning over a decade, earning over 110 Japan caps as a reliable midfield anchor.

9/12

Daichi Kamada

Technically gifted attacking midfielder who starred for Frankfurt in the Europa League and has become one of Japan's most creative modern internationals.

10/12

Takumi Minamino

Versatile and energetic forward who played for Liverpool and Monaco, contributing goals and assists for Japan across multiple World Cup and Asian Cup campaigns.

11/12

Takefusa Kubo

Supremely talented winger who joined Real Madrid as a teenager before flourishing at Real Sociedad, regarded as the next great hope of Japanese football.

12/12