Keisuke Honda determined to leave lasting legacy on A-League
Keisuke Honda has achieved many great things on the football field but the Japanese star believes he can make an even bigger impact off the field.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
In 2007, Keisuke Honda left Japan for Europe as another modest, starry-eyed kid. On Saturday he returned as a multi-millionaire, multidimensional megastar.
Months after Melbourne Victory sent a samurai sword through the hearts of millions of Japanese round-ball diehards when it killed off a romantic J-League homecoming, the club arrived with the local icon at the helm.
Honda touched down on home soil before his first club game in Japan – population 127 million – since November 2007, to an emotional return.
Even a simple team walk to Peace Memorial Park saw Honda catch a taxi, to avoid a potential circus as the first day evoked emotion of a different kind for the star.
Honda, who had visited the site as a kid, seemed taken aback when seeing the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Atomic Bomb Museum, in memory of the 1945 US bombing.
It was a poignant moment and a rare time of reflection for Honda, as he prepares for a hectic few days.
Victory players got a taste of it at Sydney Airport, when hundreds of Japanese swarmed Honda to pose for photos just before he boarded his Japan-bound flight.
A brief stopover in Tokyo caused pandemonium, with police literally tackling a grown man who – hugging a Honda AC Milan top – tried to clear a check-in rope to get an autograph.
A lower key arrival into Hiroshima ensued, due to the smaller population and the meticulous planning of Victory’s no-nonsense security chief John McLeod, who arrived in advance to plot their itinerary.
Victory has had a taste of Honda’s stardom in Melbourne, but Japan was on another planet.
“Any given day when we are (training) at Gosch’s Paddock, there’s anywhere from 30-80 Japanese watching,’’ Victory coach Kevin Muscat said.
MOSCOW, MILAN, MELBOURNE
The Honda family, who he’s protective of, is relishing Melbourne’s relative anonymity.
Stints at CSKA Moscow and AC Milan turned him into a globally-recognised star, making it difficult to walk 10 metres in Japan without being swarmed.
“Everything has pros and cons. I like Australian people, (they) don’t (get fazed) by celebrities. Japanese, like Asian culture, like celebrities very much,’’ Honda said.
“Australian people just focus on themselves, enjoy their own life.
“We are very comfortable living here. We can walk outside, go to restaurants, eat in normal seats. In Japan, we usually don’t eat in an open space, always a private room.”
Despite surrounding himself with his dream-team, covering both his sporting and business interests, Honda has little time exploiting the freedom.
Based in the same city complex are his trainer Taichi Oshita — who came from Tokyo’s biggest University, Teikyo – right-hand man and Cambodia assistant coach Felix Agustin Gonzalez Dalmas, digital media guru, Kazuaki Ono and his own personal chef — Michelin-starred Yuta Funaoka.
“I’m not interested in (sightseeing). My guests have visited many places and were satisfied about the city, some have said they want to live in Melbourne,’’ Honda said.
“Maybe if I live until I am 70, I will return to Melbourne — 50 per cent I am joking, but 50 per cent serious. This place is very nice for kids and older people.
“It’s very peaceful and not rushing. Maybe no good for us, maybe this great environment makes us lazy. I’m an ambitious person.”
SELF-MADE STAR
Hundreds of Japanese have cracked Europe but there is only one Honda, but it was a journey.
The “failures” included being dumped by Gamba Osaka as a teen and relegation with Dutch club VVV Venlo.
Realising he needed a weapon, Honda finetuned his striking technique and set pieces and unleashed it to the world via CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League.
Developing an insatiable work ethic, his meticulous preparation includes minimum 30 minutes of daily prehab with Oshita, before joining the team. It includes a perception drill, where a water bottle is placed on the ground 10 metres away – he must then pick the bottle up while blindfolded.
Beneath is a burning desire to make a positive impact on the world, with soccer as the vehicle.
“Luckily I saw lots of (perspectives) when I played overseas — many kids, people can not follow their own dreams, even if they want to,’’ Honda said.
“I realised my environment was abnormal. I was grateful to my parents and Japan.
“Luckily I have a little money in my bank account as a soccer player, so I thought investment is good. Not in the stock market or big companies. Just small companies, entrepreneurs who want to change the world.
“That’s better because even they need small money and they will be grateful to me.”
HONDA INC.
Honda’s two big projects outside of soccer are – huge.
His business partners include actor Will Smith, they are raising $142 million (US$100m) via “Dreamers Fund” to bankroll start-ups.
“Yume Foundation” has created soccer schools, with over 15,000 kids and 70 programs under its umbrella, with a kindergarten opening within months. His companies employ 140 people — with investments including GPS for athletes, drones and school programs.
One investment was inspired by Jaden Smith, Will’s son.
“We have invested in 18 companies already in the US, recently we invested in healthcare start-ups and JUST Water, which Will Smith made with Jaden,’’ Honda said.
“Jaden likes surfing and on one occasion he was sad when he saw a lot of bottles washed up on the beach. He explained this when he got home and they made a start-up. So the bottle is made of natural (plant-derived products). So even if someone (litters) it becomes natural.
“Last time (Will and I) spoke was after New Year’s. So maybe every couple of months. He’s a super busy and I’m busy also. Jaden is coming this month. I’ve never met him. I will invite him for dinner and the chef will cook for us.”
So, who’s more popular in Japan?
“Of course him (Will Smith). Everyone knows him,’’ Honda said, without a moment’s hesitation.
THE X-FACTOR
Honda’s Japanese fame is in large part because he’s dared to be different in a traditionally conservative country. The swagger, bleached hair rock-star image, which includes a red Ferrari, the fashion labels, the fragrances, the sunglasses.
None of that was possible without the countless rockets he unleashed into the back of the net for club and country – whom he represented 98 times, scoring 37 goals.
That personality is evident on the pitch, as keeper Lawrence Thomas can attest after Honda’s outburst – uncommon for Japanese players – in the final seconds of a 4-0 win over Western Sydney provided an insight into his mentality.
“I slowed it down, it was over. He wanted to keep playing, pushing. He said doesn’t matter what time it is, we keep going. It was nothing personal,’’ Thomas said.
“He’s never satisfied, always looking to improve and help others.”
THE TEAMMATE
While many A-League marquee signings kept to themselves, Honda’s teammates have been pleasantly surprised.
When defender Nick Ansell, who’s since departed, kindly relinquished the No.4, Honda shouted him dinner at Nobu. He has also supplied the boys with sunglasses and provided kit man Guido Chayan a Cambodia shirt for his growing gallery of shirts.
Thomas, who’s perhaps picked Honda’s brain most over the past six months, said it’s been educational. “He has time for everyone and you can have a laugh with him,’’ he said. “He’s very ambitious, very disciplined. Always speaking to people. Off the field incredibly humble, down to earth, very nice.”
Muscat was aware of his additional commitments, but revealed Honda’s dedication to soccer was first-class.
“I wouldn’t say he’s highly motivated, he’s beyond that. Just committed. He eliminates motivation,’’ Muscat said. “He’s got a lot of interests outside of football, but I can tell you unequivocally when he trains, prepares, plays games, he’s 100 per cent committed.”
AUSSIE LEGACY
Honda is focused on winning A-League silverware and advancing Victory from the Champions League group, but he’s also casting his entrepreneurial eye on things.
“The soccer stuff, I want to make people remember the goals, assists, great moments. But I want to be involved with Australia after I leave – on and off field,” he said.
“I’m interested in making (investments), so I might invest in Australian start-ups in future.”
He has strong opinions on the future of currency.
“We invested in Blockchain, everyone calls it Crypto,’’ Honda said.
“My belief is money should be digital. No more cash, because cash can always be given into someone’s hands, so that means no one can track where it’s going. Digital can prevent this.
“Developing countries still have bad governments and bad politicians, they’re using and storing cash.”
THE FUTURE
While knocking off two of his dreams – playing for AC Milan and helping his family – the third remains elusive, winning a World Cup with Japan.
“I want to achieve that (winning gold at Tokyo 2020), but instead of a World Cup as a player, I still don’t give up about becoming a World Cup champion,’’ he said. “Maybe in a different way – create youngsters via business. I can help Japanese soccer industry too.”
Asked if he would coach Samurai Blue one day, he said: “I’m coaching Cambodia. I’m not interested in that now, but no one knows in the future. Maybe.
“I want to go. My job is my enemy.”
Honda believes his biggest impact is yet to come.
“One difference with other successful people, I’m not satisfied about my career. I’ve always said that my soccer career and my life is just warming up,’’ he said.
“After I quit soccer, maybe in two years, after Olympics, it’s just starting my life.
“I feel I will make a bigger impact after my soccer career. I feel like I am warming up for a game, which has not yet started.”
HONDA’S JOURNEY TO STARDOM
CLUB
Club When Games Goals
Nagoya Grampus (Japan) 2004-07 105 13
VVV Venlo (Neth) 2007-09 74 26
CSKA Moscow (Russia) 2009-14 127 28
AC Milan (Italy) 2014-17 92 11
Pachuca (Mexico) 2017-18 32 10
Victory (Aust) 2018-19 11 6
JAPAN
98 games, 37 goals
INDIVIDUAL
2008-09 Dutch second division player of the year
2010 Japanese footballer of the year
2011 Asian Cup player of the tournament
2013 Asian golden ball award
2018 Became first Japanese player to score at three World Cups
Rookie winger’s pleasant selection ‘shock’
A potential Socceroos debutant’s coffee plans quickly changed after he was notified he had been chosen in the national squad.
Striker targeting maiden Socceroos goal
Adelaide Oval looms as the perfect place for a proud South Australian to score his first goal for the Socceroos on Thursday night.