Yang Minhyuk, senior in high school? In Japan, junior in middle school will debut in the J-League…Supernova Born in 2009 Explodes Expectations for "The Future of Japanese Soccer"
Yang Minhyuk, senior in high school? In Japan, junior in middle school will debut in the J-League…Supernova Born in 2009 Explodes Expectations for "The Future of Japanese Soccer"
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A player born in 2009 surprised the Japanese soccer community by making his debut in the J1 League, the top league in professional soccer.
As of 2025, those born in 2009 are 16 years old, and in Korea, they are in their third year of middle school. They debuted faster than Yang Min-hyuk, a "luxury high school student" who dominated the K-League 1 last year. Yang made a semi-professional contract with Gangwon FC at the age of 18 and entered the K-League 1.
The game between the Kashima Antlers and the FC Tokyo Blue Jays took place at Kashima Stadium in Kashima, Japan on Sunday. More than 35 minutes passed in the second half, a young-looking player wearing a shirt with his jersey number 53 warmed up at the sideline and prepared to substitute, before joining the team as a substitute for midfielder Takahiro Ko. It was the moment when Maki Kitahara, a promising player in Japan, made his J1 League debut at the age of 15 years, seven months, and 22 days.
Generally, he is old enough to be in the youth team, but Kitahara was included in the list of away replacements for Kashima. FC Tokyo made its J1 League debut as a substitute around the 38th minute of the second half when it was being dragged on by Kashima's frontline striker Yuma Suzuki after allowing the first goal of a penalty kick at the 29th minute of the second half. Naturally, he became the youngest to make his J1 League debut.
His playing time was too short to show off something, and he was too young. Other than recording three touches, Kitahara had nothing left on the day. He attempted two passes from the opposing defense, but failed in all, recording a pass success rate of 0%.
However, the debut of a player under the age of 16 was enough to attract the attention of the Japanese soccer community.
Japanese media 'Kyodo News' highlighted Kitahara's debut, saying, "FC Tokyo midfielder Maki Kitahara played in the J1 League at the age of 15 years, 7 months and 22 days, and shortened the existing record set by Takayuki Morimoto in 2004 by more than two months."
Takayuki Morimoto, mentioned by "Kyodo News," set a record of being the youngest to play in the J-League in 2004 at the age of 15 years, 10 months and 10 days. Kitahara broke this record for the first time in 21 years.
Kitahara also broke the record (16 years, 5 months and 22 days) set by Japan's talented Kubo Takefusa, a senior player from FC Tokyo and a flanker for Real Sociedad in Spain's La Liga. The gap between Kubo and Kitahara is eight months.
"메이저사이트 The young player showed his talent with a great turn in the center," Kyodo News said, adding that Kitahara was brief but flashy for a moment.
Kitahara told local media after the match, "It's an honor. However, I will not be satisfied with this moment and will move on," adding, "I didn't have much time to play today. I want to be a starter in the next game. I will look up high and move on."