Japanese · Settsu, Osaka · Born 13 June 1986Iconic Japanese attacking midfielder and global ambassador for the sport, whose career took him to AC Milan, CSKA Moscow and LA Galaxy.
Keisuke Honda was born and raised in Settsu, Osaka, Japan, and belonged to Gamba Osaka's junior youth team as a boy but was not promoted to the club's senior youth setup — a rejection that shaped his determination to succeed elsewhere. He began his professional career with Nagoya Grampus before moving to the Dutch league with VVV-Venlo, developing into a versatile attacking midfielder renowned for his physical strength, set-piece ability, and self-belief. Honda moved to Russia's CSKA Moscow in 2010, becoming one of the league's standout foreign players and helping the club win domestic honours, before joining Italy's AC Milan in 2014. His combination of technical quality and confidence made him one of the most recognisable Japanese footballers of his generation, both on the pitch and for his outspoken personality in interviews. Honda set a unique record by becoming the first professional footballer to score a goal on six separate continents, and later became the first Asian player to score against a team from every continent after netting against Senegal at the 2018 World Cup. He was named Player of the Tournament as Japan won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Honda represented Japan at four World Cups and later took on player-manager and consultancy roles at various clubs around the world, including in Cambodia and Portugal, reflecting a career defined as much by his ambitions in football administration and coaching as by his playing achievements.
Being Japan's standout player across three consecutive World Cups
He scored Japan's first ever penalty at a World Cup, against Denmark in 2010, and became the first Japanese player to score in a World Cup knockout match — a pioneering figure for Asian football.
Did You Know?How They Played
Creative attacking midfielder with exceptional free-kick ability and long-range shooting
Lasting Impact
Most influential Japanese footballer of the 2010s who elevated Japan's profile in European football
Career Honours
- Russian Premier League 2012, 2013 (CSKA)
- Russian Premier League 2012
- Russian Premier League 2013
- Russian Cup 2013
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nagoya Grampus Eight | 2004–2008 | 90 | 12 |
| VVV-Venlo | 2008–2009 | 68 | 24 |
| CSKA Moscow | 2010–2013 | 94 | 20 |
| AC Milan | 2014–2017 | 82 | 12 |
| Pachuca | 2017–2018 | 30 | 10 |
| Melbourne Victory | 2018–2019 | 18 | 8 |
| Vitesse | 2019–2019 | 4 | 0 |
| Botafogo | 2020–2020 | 27 | 3 |
| Neftçi Baku | 2021–2021 | 8 | 2 |
| Sūduva | 2021–2021 | 6 | 2 |
| Paro | 2024–2024 | 6 | 2 |
| Jurong | 2026–Present | 0 | 0 |
 Japan | — | 98 | 37 |
Japanese Athletes