Keisuke Honda is a Japanese soccer player who currently plays for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Club Botafogo and also serves as the volunteer general manager and coach for the Cambodia National Team.
One of Japan’s most prolific professional athletes, known for his incredibly versatile style of soccer, the midfielder has received numerous awards, including AFC Asian Cup Most Valuable Player in 2011 and Best Footballer in Asia in 2013.
Honda has been quoted as saying「どこでプレーしても俺の成長はあるわけで。」(どこでプレーしてもおれのせいちょうはあるわけで; Doko de puree shitemo ore no seichou wa aru wakede). This means “No matter where I play, I always grow.”
His appearance in the J.League Cup as a Special Designated Youth Player in 2004, led to the start of his professional career in 2005. He has since played with 8 club teams, including AC Milan. Honda has also represented the Japan National Team on countless occasions, becoming a household name on an international level. Honda is known to be the top scoring Asian player in World Cup history and the only player to score a goal as well as assist in three (3) consecutive World Cups.
Honda’s drive to be the best he can be continues to propel him forward, and the 34-year-old is aiming to play for Japan in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
No matter where Honda is playing, he approaches the game of soccer as an opportunity to learn from those around him.
As the school year begins somewhat differently this year, may「どこでプレーしても俺の成長はあるわけで。」 remind us of the importance of keeping an open mind as we never know what we might gain from new experiences and perspectives.
Here’s wishing everyone a successful 2020-2021 school year.