The challenger in his 21st professional season has set two goals
"There are things I have to do"
DF 3 Masato MORISHIGE
Introducing all the blue and red warriors taking on the 2026 Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League in 'PLAYERS FILE 2026.' What thoughts do the players hold, and with what resolve are they preparing to face the year ahead, especially with the special half-season tournament approaching?
As the longest-serving blue and red veteran entering his 21st professional season, Masato MORISHIGE is fired up. In addition to the goals he has consistently pursued, he has set a new theme for this season. Having repeatedly fought to secure the center-back position year after year, he is determined to deliver solid results on the pitch and create a synergistic effect that elevates the entire team's level through his own performance.
You don’t even need to ask anymore. Asking Masato MORISHIGE, now in his 21st professional season, about his goals for this season would be a foolish question. The answer comes back naturally.
"To win a title"
However, this season, he added another goal, saying, "And also..."
"I want to play continuously throughout the half-season once again. These two are clear and significant goals within me. I want to spend my days working toward them."
It has long been a yearly tradition to ask about the theme for the new season during the camp period. The man who has spent more than half his life as a professional player said, "This season, I think it’s about raising my limits," and continued as follows.
"To reach one level higher, I definitely want to put in more effort. I’ve come to realize that if I keep accumulating effort, my body responds well. In that sense, I want to raise both the range of my play and my physical condition by one more rank."
In recent seasons, he has competed for his position against players about a decade younger and ultimately secured his regular spot. This season as well, players aiming to 'defeat Morishige' are coming at him, trying to pull him down from that position.
“The young players are also working hard to grow from here. In that environment, I have the experience I’ve gained so far, and to demonstrate and make use of it, I first need to build a body that can move properly. When my body moves well, my experience works to my advantage. It’s not just about words; I can express it on the pitch. I’m confident I can show strength that won’t lose to the growth speed of the younger players. For me, that’s the theme.”
I have seen many “loud” veterans. On the other hand, the man of few words has given his words weight by continuously standing on the pitch.
“I think it’s about what you can convey and express on the pitch. That is the most convincing and easiest to understand. What you say with your mouth, to put it extremely, can even be done after retirement. There are things that can only be conveyed on the pitch right now. I believe expressing yourself on the pitch is the true form of a professional soccer player.”
I have absolutely no intention of accepting the challenge from the hot-blooded younger players. Even after a 21-year professional career, the blue corner has always been my rightful place.
“The more fired up those guys get, the more fired up I become. I think it’s mutual. If I play well, they play even better. When the young players keep pushing themselves, it makes me feel like I have to step up even more and work harder. That creates a positive effect for the team, and personally, having competitors helps me grow. I want to keep getting fired up too.”
Using the phrase "I want to grow" so casually just before turning 40 is nothing other than because "I still have unfinished business."
The “Continued Relentless Man” boldly aims for the championship as a challenger.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
