In early April, when the team was competing in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, Maki KITAHARA was being blown by the Basque wind. Exactly one year after breaking the youngest appearance record in the J1 League and already having signed a professional contract at 16 years old, he undertook a three-week short-term study abroad at Real Sociedad, a top Spanish club known for its strength.
“I have a desire to play in Spain in the future, so I am very grateful and happy to have been given such an opportunity.”
The challenge of Spanish soccer, which he was originally interested in. Mitsushiro OBARA, the General Manager, explains the background of why Real Sociedad, where Takefusa KUBO, a senior from the Aoaka Academy, also belongs, was chosen as the host club.
"We have several partnership clubs and naturally considered them as our first choice, but after carefully examining the timing and the other side's acceptance conditions, the requirements did not match this time. So, while searching including other clubs, Real Sociedad emerged as a candidate, which is the main background."
“There is a connection with Real Sociedad because Takefusa KUBO is a member of the club. Furthermore, the club has a development philosophy called the ‘8:2 Theory,’ which involves scouting 80% of players from the local area and 20% from other regions, properly nurturing them, and promoting them to the top team. One of the aims was to stimulate him and help him gain new insights within the expertise of such a club skilled in player development.”
Studying abroad individually was also a first experience for Kitahara. There was no way he didn’t have any anxieties. However, ultimately, with a positive mindset of "you won’t know until you try," he jumped into the local environment and immediately made a strong impression from the very first day of practice.
"At first, I felt like I was being underestimated a bit, but being able to prove my ability to those around me during the possession drill on the first day was a big deal. Even if we couldn’t communicate verbally, I felt that as long as I had a ball, I could somehow manage."
Jiro KITAHARA, Head of Scouting and Method Director who accompanied him on site, also recalls that moment with a hint of pride. "During the first possession drill on the first day, I felt everyone's eyes suddenly change. It was like, 'Oh, this guy is amazing.'"
During his stay there, he joined the B team's activities several times, but mainly trained with the C team. Even here, just like in Tokyo, there was not a single player younger than him, and he succeeded in gaining clear challenges and achievements.
"I believe the quality of 'controlling and kicking' as well as the attacking part in front of the goal were effective. The challenge was in defense; I felt myself that my attitude toward competing for the ball was lacking, and I received similar feedback from the coaches there. I think that experience can be utilized going forward, and it definitely must be."
The opportunity to prove the value of what he gained from his experience abroad came quickly. The AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026, held in early May. Kitahara was entrusted with the number 10 jersey for the Japan national U-17 team and threw himself into the serious battle for the right to participate in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
As you know, the result was outstanding. As the ace, he scored six goals, earning both the tournament MVP and top scorer awards, greatly contributing to securing the right to challenge on the world stage and to Asia's championship. This further established his name among many soccer fans.
When asked about the much-talked-about “promise with a senior,” Kitahara, who said, “I felt that Coach (Nobuyoshi Ono) entrusted me with the matches, and both the team and I achieved results, so it was truly a valuable experience,” revealed the background with a high schooler’s smile.
“On the way back from having a meal together with Ryu-chan (Ryunosuke SATO), he told me, ‘Win the championship, and get the top scorer and MVP awards. I’ve already got mine.’ I was aiming for those myself from the start, but hearing it from Ryu-chan gave me even stronger determination. Since I achieved it, he said he’ll buy me a reward (laughs).”
The goal at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, which kicks off in November, is naturally to become the best in the world. Individually, he has set a target of scoring 8 goals in 8 matches, including the Final Round, and is preparing for the big stage.
Meanwhile, difficult times continue with the top team. In the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, he has not only failed to appear in matches but has not even been on the bench. Having suffered an injury during the camp and with his condition not fully recovered, he was unable to spend his anticipated second professional year as envisioned.
A 16-year-old was about to fall into a spiral of negative thinking—but what gave him not a small amount of motivation during those days was, after all, the example set by the “senior” players he looked up to.
“The veteran players were skillfully encouraging the younger ones to raise their motivation, so I felt it was wrong for me to head in a negative direction despite that. Especially when I was left out of the squad, the words from Keigo HIGASHI really resonated with me, and Kento HASHIMOTO also showed concern for me, so I was truly grateful for the presence of those people.”
After a brief rest, the 2026/27 season approaches. He is fully aware that in this world, excuses like "because I'm a high school student" won't fly. So, by relentlessly focusing on himself in daily training and delivering solid results, he will make sure that many people recognize the fact that he is continuously growing now.
"In Spain, I realized that by continuously showing my play, the way people see me changes, and I felt that if I don't keep showing it, I would quickly disappear from the scene. Also, it was a great opportunity to once again deeply recognize the challenges I thought I had, so I will definitely make use of this experience going forward."
"As a somewhat distant goal, the next FIFA World Cup 2030 will take place when I turn 20 to 21 years old, so I want to be named as a candidate there, just like Ryu-chan was this year. To participate in that World Cup, I believe the next and the following seasons will be crucial, so I want to be fully aware of that. Someday, I also want to go to Spain, succeed there, and win the World Cup."
He undoubtedly has solid confidence and the determination to carry this club on his shoulders. The teenager wearing number 77, who can bear the future of the blue and red, Maki KITAHARA, now 17 years old, is eagerly anticipating his midsummer comeback.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Masashi TSUCHIYA (Freelance Writer)
