Minamino, Reims duo continue happy history between Japan and Ligue 1
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AS Monaco's visit to Stade de Reims on Saturday may not have been a sparklingly entertaining match, ending as it did in a scoreless draw, but the match was remarkable for featuring three Japanese internationals. Takumi Minamino started and played 90 minutes for AS Monaco, while Keito Nakamura and Junya Ito each were in the eleven for Luka Elsner's home side. While none of the trio were able to break the deadlock, they have each been impressive this season, after having earlier this year helped the Samurai Blue qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. The trio are some of the brightest lights to have featured in Ligue 1 McDonald's but they're far from alone -- more than a dozen Japanese players have featured in France's top flight -- here's our look back at some of the key names:
Eiji Kawashima: FC Metz 2016-18, RC Strasbourg 2018-23
The experienced goalkeeper is still playing professionally at the age of 41, having earned nearly 100 caps for his country. He came to France in 2016 and was expected to be an experienced backup to Thomas Didillon, but despite not having his
contract renewed in 2018, by the end of his second season, he had supplanted the youngster and even won a pair of Player of the Month awards for Les Grenats. Moving on a free to rivals Strasbourg was a surprise, but Kawashima scarcely blinked, playing five seasons in Alsace as a consummate professional, helping Racing win the Coupe de la Ligue in 2019, and playing more than thirty first-team matches.
Daisuke Matsui: Le Mans 2004-8, Saint-Étienne 2008-9, Grenoble 2009-11, Dijon 2011-12
While something of a journeyman, Matsui was also a trailblazer, playing more than 200 times in French football and helping Le Mans win a shock promotion to Ligue 1 in his first season with the club. Never a regular for his country owing to rather fierce competition for places, Matsui nonetheless was a vital creative presence in France, and would help his country win the 2011 Asian Cup.
Hiroki Sakai: Olympique de Marseille 2016-21
Unquestionably the most successful Japanese player in France's top flight prior to the arrival of the three in action on Saturday, Sakai was a hard-running and versatile fullback who was a consistent starter in his time at Marseille despite plenty of upheaval. In addition to helping l'OM reach a UEFA Europa League final in 2018, he was named the club's Player of the Season the following year, departing as a firm fan favorite.
Ado Onaiwu: Toulouse FC 2021-23, Auxerre 2023-
Last but not least, a fourth Japanese international is currently plying his trade in Ligue 1 McDonald's in the form of AJ Auxerre striker Ado Onaiwu. The child of a Japanese mother and a Nigerian father, he helped Les Violets earn promotion in his first season with the club before repeating that feat last year with Auxerre. While not always a regular for Christophe Pélissier, Onaiwu has scored twice this season, making sure the eastern side remain a threat.
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