Victory star Keisuke Honda hints he won’t be in town for long but he does like Melbourne

Melbourne Victory’s Keisuke Honda is a man who needs no introduction. But after plying his trade from Moscow to Milan to Mexico, what does the Japanese megastar think of life in Melbourne?

Keisuke Honda of the Melbourne Victory poses during a Melbourne Victory A-League media opportunity on the Yarra River.

It’s Melbourne’s most exclusive Michelin Star restaurant.

So exclusive only Keisuke Honda is allowed to dine there, but that’s because it’s at his home.

When the Japanese megastar decided to bring his wondrous talents to Melbourne Victory in our corner of the world, he did so with his personal chef from the Land of the Rising Sun.

He rates Nobu and Koko’s, but there’s no need to make a booking here.

“We call it Keisuke’s Restaurant and it’s in my apartment,” Honda laughed.

We know all about the World Cup goals, Asian Cup heroics and a left foot that has bamboozled defenders from Moscow to Milan to Mexico, and now Melbourne.

Indeed, for those who follow the world game, Honda is a man who needs no introduction.

But off the pitch, just who is the 32-year-old who has become known as “Emperor Honda”? One with more than 560,000 Instagram followers and 650,000 Twitter followers?

The quirky aspect of Honda’s stay here is that, apart from the Japanese fans who wait by his car outside AAMI Park, he can walk around without being stopped for a selfie.

Georg Niedermeier and Keisuke Honda are enjoying Melbourne. Pic: Getty Images

If Honda finds peace in the relative anonymity Melbourne offers, he’s driven by it too.

“Eighty per cent of that I enjoy and I’m comfortable,” he said.

“But 20 per cent of me wants to make them know. As a professional soccer player it’s motivation.

“But 80 per cent I’m OK, especially with my family.”

Family is his wife and three children, with the five settled in Southbank.

“I’ve been playing for a long time so I know how to adjust to a new city and I like this city,” Honda said.

Part of the adjustment is daily two-hour English lessons, but he’s still grappling with the Aussie sense of humour in the dressing room.

“It’s weird and sometimes it can be hard to understand the Australian accent when they make jokes,” he said.

Honda likes the Melbourne lifestyle. Pic: Getty Images

“I know ‘G’day mate’, but I don’t say it.”

He drives a Hyundai (club issue) and doesn’t see the fuss over Melbourne’s traffic.

“I don’t have any frustration,” he said.

“I can compare to other cities where it’s a lot worse, like Moscow.”

The choice of coffee is espresso and it’s wine over beer — “because I played in Italy”.

Honda likes his fashion, with his last purchase coming from Japanese label Uniqlo, while he also has plans to hit the beach over summer.

But for a man who has played in Japan, Holland, Russia, Italy, Mexico, and now Australia in a 15-year career, don’t expect Honda to stick around for too long.

Asked if he sees a long-term future here, Honda dead-batted: “I don’t think so”.

A quick ball of energy on the pitch, he seems just as agile off it.

“I like to move,” he said. “I’m satisfied, but I don’t think I’ll be here for a long time.”

Honda poses with fans after Victory training. Pic: Getty Images

A-LEAGUE ROUND 6 — All matches live on Fox Sports

FRIDAY

WESTERN SYDNEY v CENTRAL COAST

Spotless Stadium, 7.50pm

TAB Odds: Wanderers $1.72, Draw $4, Mariners $4.50

SATURDAY

SYDNEY FC v WELLINGTON

Kogarah Oval, 5.35pm

TAB odds: Sky Blues $1.40, Draw $4.75, Phoenix $7.50

MELBOURNE VICTORY v ADELAIDE UNITED

Live on Fox Sports and Ten

Marvel Stadium, 7.50pm

TAB odds: Victory $1.85, Draw $3.70, Adelaide $4.10

PERTH GLORY v MELBOURNE CITY

nib Stadium, 10pm

TAB odds: Glory $2.10, Draw $3.60, City $3.30

SUNDAY

NEWCASTLE JETS v BRISBANE ROAR

McDonald Jones Stadium, 5pm

TAB odds: Jets $1.95, Draw $3.65, Roar $3.75