한국 사람들은 매번 일본 축구엔 스타가 없다, 손흥민급은 커녕, 이강인, 김민재급도 없다고 평가절하하려 든다.
그러나 현재 일본 축구는 시장가치 1000만 유로가 넘는 선수들만 18명이다. 한국은 고작 4명이다. 그것도 한명은 불과 1년전까지 독일축구협회 소속이던 옌스가 한명 추가된 덕에
한국 축구 팬들은 대단히 착각중인데 한국에서 유명하고 인기있다고 다 스타가 아니다. 뉴질랜드의 국민 영웅이라는 크리스 우드가 한국에선 아무도 관심없는것과 마찬가지다.
언제나 일본은 쪽수만 많고 스타는 한국에서만 나온다는 프레임을 씌우려고 하지만 현시대에 5000만 유로가 넘는 아시아 최고의 시장가치 1위는 일본 선수고 한국 선수들은 손흥민, 김민재 죄다 반토막 이상나고 우즈벡 후사노프 근처도 가는 선수도 없고 성적도 망하고 윌클도 없는게 한국 축구의 진짜 현실이다.
Along with Suzuki Zion, who recently joined Aston Villa in the Premier League, Japanese football features several promising mixed-heritage Goalkeepers whose futures look exceptionally bright.
Nozawa Taishi Brandon (🇯🇵🇺🇸, 23 years old / 193cm)
: Similar to Zion, he is of mixed American heritage. He caught the eye of manager Moriyasu Hajime and joined the squad as the third-choice goalkeeper during the 2024 AFC Asian Cup.
He moved to Royal Antwerp in the Belgian Pro League to replace Senne Lammens, who transferred to Manchester United ahead of last season. He made an immediate impact, winning Antwerp's Player of the Season award in his very first year.
Kokubo Leo (🇯🇵🇳🇬, 24 years old / 193cm)
: A product of the youth academy of Portuguese giants Benfica, he served as the starting goalkeeper for Japan’s U-23 national team, winning the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup and reaching the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Last season, he played as the regular starting goalkeeper for Sint-Truiden in the Belgian Pro League, contributing significantly to the club's qualification for European competitions.
Alexandre Pisano (🇯🇵🇨🇦, 20 years old / 198cm)
: At just 19 years old, he became the starting goalkeeper for Nagoya Grampus in the J.League. His performances caught the attention of manager Hajime Moriyasu, earning him his senior international debut against Hong Kong at the 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship.
He also kept clean sheets in all 3 matches he played for Japan at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
Muramatsu Shuji (🇯🇵🇺🇸, 18 years old / 187cm)
: Currently playing for LAFC 2 in the American MLS, he put on a series of miraculous, game-saving performances against tough opponents like Morocco, Portugal, and Austria to lead Japan to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
He was also selected as a training partner for the senior Japanese national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Top 10 Goalkeeper Transfer Fees of All Time
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga 🇪🇸 (Athletic Bilbao -> Chelsea) - €80 million (2018)
2. Alisson Becker 🇧🇷 (AS Roma -> Liverpool) - €62.5 million (2018)
3. Gianluigi Buffon 🇮🇹 (Parma -> Juventus) - €53 million (2001)
4. Andre Onana 🇨🇲 (Inter Milan -> Manchester United) - €52.5 million (2023)
5. James Trafford 🏴 (Manchester City -> Leeds United) - €47 million (2026) (NEW)
6. Lucas Chevalier 🇫🇷 (LOSC Lille -> Paris Saint-Germain) - €40 million (2025)
7. Ederson 🇧🇷 (Benfica -> Manchester City) - €40 million (2017)
8. Suzuki Zion 🇯🇵 (Parma -> Aston Villa) - €35 million (2026) (NEW)
9. Jasper Cillessen 🇳🇱 (FC Barcelona -> Valencia) - €35 million (2019)
10. Thibaut Courtois 🇧🇪 (Chelsea -> Real Madrid) - €35 million (2018)
11. Giorgi Mamardashvili 🇬🇪(Valencia -> Liverpool) - €34.3 million (2024)
12. David Raya 🇪🇸 (Brentford -> Arsenal) - €32 million (2024)
13. James Trafford 🏴 (Burnley -> Manchester City) - €31.2 million (2025)
14. Gianluigi Donnarumma 🇮🇹 (Paris Saint-Germain -> Manchester City) - €30 million (2025)
15. Manuel Neuer 🇩🇪(Schalke 04 -> Bayern Munich) - €30 million (2011)