A striker who could become the new ace in blue and red has joined the team in Tokyo on a loan from Sagan Tosu. His greatest weapons are overwhelming speed and strong physicality. Many should remember the goal he scored in the 3rd Round of last season's J.League YBC Levain Cup. In the 2024 season, he marked 14 goals in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. With his outstanding finishing ability, he has made a name for himself as one of the league's top forwards. We asked Marcelo RYAN about his feelings towards this new chapter in his career.
──Please tell us the reason for your loan transfer to Tokyo.
I received an offer from Tokyo a little before the final round of last season's league matches. When I first heard about it, it was just at the time Diego OLIVEIRA was retiring, so I was very happy to receive an offer as a player to replace such a great striker. The club also asked me to give an early response, and my desire to perform well for Tokyo in the new season grew stronger, which led me to decide on the transfer.
──I believe that there are great expectations not only from the stakeholders but also from the fans and supporters for Diego TABA to become a scoring source in place of the mentioned player.
Of course, I fully feel those expectations, and I want to do my best to play and meet everyone's hopes.
By the way, did you know Diego TABA?
Last season, during the match at Ajinomoto Stadium (October 5, Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 33), I was approached and had various conversations. I was surprised by this offer, especially after Diego told me, "If you continue to perform well, you can go to a bigger club."
-- Have you talked since the joining was decided?
I haven't talked with him yet, but I plan to ask him various things through messages later. Personally, I value a learning attitude, and I think it's necessary to know a lot in order to fit into the team, so I would be happy to receive various advice.
──Until now, we have faced Tokyo as opponents. What kind of image do you have of them?
I have the impression that they are a very tough team. Jája Silva, who played with me at Sagan Tosu, told me, "Tokyo is a very good team, so you can decide without any worries." I know Seiji KIMURA and Tsubasa TERAYAMA well since we were together at Tosu, and since this season we will be teammates at Tokyo, I want to fight together with all the other players and contribute to the team myself.
──I played at Ajinomoto Stadium for the first time at the end of last season. How was the atmosphere?
It’s a wonderful stadium. The passion generated by the fans and supporters felt very challenging from the perspective of an away player. From now on, being able to fight with their support at home will personally work very much to my advantage.
In the last season, which was my third season in Japan, I scored a career-high 14 goals in the league. Do you think there was a turning point for your growth?
I always believed in my own ability and fought hard. I feel that last season, Tosu’s trust in me was a big factor. I believe that brought me good results, and scoring many goals gave me confidence as a striker. In the new season, I want to score even more goals for Tokyo.
──After coming to Japan in the summer of 2022, I played for Yokohama FC for two seasons, achieving a record of 5 goals in about one and a half seasons. Do you feel any personal growth in certain areas?
To be honest, I didn’t have many opportunities during my time at Yokohama FC, but being trusted at Tosu became a huge motivation for me. I believe that those around me bringing out my strengths led to good results. Also, my eldest daughter was born last spring. Since then, I have scored 12 goals. Without a doubt, my daughter’s presence has been a great source of strength for me (laughs).
──Please tell us about the characteristics of your play.
My style is to break behind the last line to create one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper or to dribble past defenders and finish with a shot. My greatest confidence lies in my speed. I believe my biggest strength is using my speed to break into space and carry it through to the finish.
── RIAN's powerful breakthrough was very impressive when he scored a goal against Tokyo in the 3rd Round of the J.League YBC Levain Cup last season in May. Looking at the goal scene in Tosu, not only his speed and power but also his shooting skill stands out.
I am confident in my finishing as well. The way I shape up for a shot varies depending on how I receive the pass, but if the ball comes to me, I am confident I can score. I want to score many goals.
──In your first year of transfer in Tokyo, what kind of play do you expect to show and what kind of performance do you hope for?
I want to quickly blend into the team and have everyone understand my playing style, and I also want to understand everyone else's playing style. If I can do that, I believe I can score many goals and achieve good results. I am looking forward to a wonderful 2025 season.
Diego TABA and Masato MORISHIGE mentioned that the player who left the biggest impression on them from last season's matches was Hian.
That makes me happy. I don't know Morishige personally, but of course I am aware of him. He is a very high-quality player and I think he is excellent at stopping forwards.
──Please tell us your goals for this season.
Above all, I want to perform in a way that contributes to the team. I believe every player feels the same, but I want to win titles with Tokyo and become a player who is remembered in history.
By the way, what kind of character are you when you leave the pitch?
I think I show a fighting spirit on the pitch, but off the pitch, I have a cheerful personality and sometimes joke around with Japanese players. I am also interested in Japanese culture, so I want to learn more about it.
──Are you saying that you are the mood maker?
I usually joke around and basically have a cheerful personality. However, during matches, I don’t mind being asked for various things, and I also intend to demand from my teammates in order to win the game.
──Have you gotten used to life in Japan?
No problem at all. I really like living in Japan. If possible, I want to continue playing in Japan for many years to come.
──Finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
Wearing the Tokyo uniform, I will always be conscious of contributing to the team and fight so as not to bring shame as a representative of everyone. I believe we will definitely achieve good results, so I hope you will trust the players and support us. Please feel free to call me "Hian."
──Do you like the color blue and red?
I have mostly played in blue-toned uniforms until now, so I’m sure the Tokyo uniform will suit me very well. From now on, I will come to love blue and red.
◇Marcelo RYAN Player Profile
Date of Birth: June 8, 2002
Place of Origin: Brazil
Height/Weight: 188cm/83kg
Career: AD Confiança (Brazil) → EC Bahia (Brazil) → Yokohama FC → Sagan Tosu
J1 League Total: 53 appearances, 17 goals / J2 League Total: 9 appearances, 2 goals
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
