This riddle story's prologue might begin like this.
"There was a number 10 named Takashi OKUHARA in the blue and red. He loved to imagine all sorts of things and was a man who turned the ideas he came up with into reality just as he envisioned."
The FIFA World Cup 2026 has entered the knockout stage, showing even greater excitement. Amidst this, one player prepared for his journey and crossed the sea.
Ryunosuke SATO, who fulfilled his childhood dream of challenging Europe, uttered these words just before boarding the plane.
"In the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, I was initially behind, but I think I was able to lead the team in the end. Towards the end of the season, I was the center of this team and was able to demonstrate with my play that I was aware of being the ace. There are few Japanese players in La Liga (Spain), and I understand that it is not an easy path. Even so, I have a strong desire to challenge myself in such a place and want to become a player who can succeed on the world stage. I have no choice but to work harder than ever. I watch the World Cup with feelings of frustration. However, if asked whether I can perform well on the current stage, I still do not have 100 percent confidence. That is the honest truth, so I want to fill that gap over the next four years and stand on the pitch as a central player in the next tournament."
On July 7th, FC Tokyo announced Ryunosuke's permanent transfer to the prestigious Spanish club Valencia CF. The words written in that release read like a letter of gratitude addressed to the blue and red, where he spent 10 years, and to Fagiano Okayama, where he played during the 2025 season. He explained the reason like this.
"I joined FC Tokyo when I was about 10 years old, so I have many memories spanning roughly 10 years. I don’t think I could have come this far without Tokyo, so I was able to meet various staff and coaches, and I believe I learned many things from each of them. I have vivid memories from the Advanced Class days. Each of them sincerely faced me."
One of them, Takashi OKUHARA, the first number 10 of the blue-reds, made a resolve in his heart when he took off his uniform.
"Someday, I want to make FC Tokyo's number 10 the Japan national team's number 10. I want to nurture players like that."
In that way, he served as a coach for the top team and academy, and met Ryunosuke during his time as head of development.
"His body size was a bit small, and he wasn't a player with distinct features. However, he seemed to have a strong will to play."
That was the first impression when he had just joined FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi. While watching from the outside, there was a moment when that impression completely changed.
"When the upper grades joined, he became withdrawn and couldn't express himself well. However, among his peers, his slightly aggressive side was actually quite appealing, showing a strong will and clearly conveying what he wanted to do. He communicated the style of play he wanted to those around him and tried to express it during the game. I personally thought he was the kind of player I really liked."
In 2022, when Okuhara was appointed head coach of FC Tokyo U-18, Ryunosuke was also promoted. As a manager, Okuhara continuously stimulated Ryunosuke’s high sensitivity. In paired technical training, he paired him with Naoki KUMATA, who was the ace at the time (currently on loan to Iwaki.G). “Kuma is also very caring, and Ryunosuke is good at interacting with the seniors. Their mutual reactions were great, and the two of them moved dynamically together.” In this way, Ryunosuke was naturally integrated into the team and was selected as a starter in the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Soccer Premier League from his first year. It was the final match of the season in which he consistently continued to appear in games.
"It was the retirement match for the third-year students, and we lost to Kiryu Daiichi High School. Ryu was in terrible form during that game. We substituted the other third-years, but he was the only one we absolutely did not take off. Because I understood the intention behind that... I cried about five times that year, but Ryu probably cried about ten times at that moment (laughs)."
In his closing remarks after the match, Okuhara deliberately called out "Ryunosuke." Then, unable to hold back his emotions, Ryunosuke—
"With tears welling up in his eyes, he said, 'Even though this was an important match for the third-years, I was so disappointing...'
This continued until the day the third-years left the team.
"There was no falsehood in those words or emotions. Because he is that kind of player, I believed I could entrust the team to him. Although he was a new second-year student, I entrusted Ryu with the number 10 for the following year."
In the 2023 season, he accompanied the top team from the pre-season camp and continued a lifestyle of moving back and forth between the U-18 and the two teams.
And in the summer’s 47th Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-18), he played full-time in every match from the group stage to the Final Round. Although they finished as runners-up, it became an irreplaceable time for this mentor and his protégé. After every match, it became a routine for Okuhara and Ryunosuke to kneel side by side by the pitch still filled with heat and talk together. He revealed the reason for this as follows.
"After every match, we held a three to five-minute meeting to review the game. Not focusing on my own play, but on how the team performed. How could we have turned a draw into a win? How could we have scored? I entrusted Ryu with carrying the responsibility of the match and gave him control over that aspect of the game. To play in the top team, you have to be able to communicate, and I wanted him to be able to show through his words and actions an understanding of what was happening overall."
Throughout the tournament, the words he expressed gradually changed, and toward the end, he began saying things like, "The substitute players created a good atmosphere," and asking about the intentions behind player selections, which made Okuhara smile with narrowed eyes.
The protégé also nostalgically looked back on this episode from a few years ago, saying the following.
"It still lives very strongly within me even now. Mr. Okuhara especially faced me sincerely and taught me many things. Including aspects unrelated to everyday soccer, he was someone who would tighten me up when I was feeling at ease. When times were tough, he was the closest support. I am truly grateful."
His true value was demonstrated in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Concept League. Although he fell behind in the early part of the league due to participating in the AFC U23 Asian Cup, where he won both the tournament MVP and top scorer awards, he gradually led the team in both offense and defense. He delivered an outstanding performance with 6 goals and 1 assist in 19 matches. His achievements resonated across the ocean to Europe, attracting acquisition offers from prestigious Spanish clubs boasting six league titles.
"I'm not consciously trying to play flashy football. After all, I work hard without slacking off and fight with sweat on both offense and defense. That might be one of the factors that encourages someone to push me forward. On top of that, I've started to make a difference in attack. My goal has been to leave a transfer fee for FC Tokyo, the club that took care of me, when I depart. I'm happy about that, and at the same time, I believe it was thanks to the support and encouragement from many people that I was able to perform well in half a season and receive offers. In the new country, the level will rise in every aspect more than ever before, but I believe I can do it. I think continuing to perform well and deliver even a little good news to Japan will be my way of giving back, so I want to become an even bigger player on the world stage and hope to be pushed forward."
He fulfilled his dream and set off for Europe, but there was not the slightest sign of satisfaction.
Japan was defeated 1-2 by Brazil in the first knockout stage match of the World Cup, leaving the tournament halfway through their dream. Although he could not stand on that stage, he intends to carry the awareness and responsibility as a player who will show a new perspective toward the next tournament four years later.
"I want to continue standing out among my peers. From now on, I will reach an age where I can no longer be called young. I believe it is necessary for a player like me to quickly become a central figure in the national team in order to see the next new scenery. I want to become that kind of presence myself."
To the man setting off, the blue and red singers raised a farewell banner at Ajinomoto Stadium.
Shine in the world, Ryunosuke of blue and red──.
Having faced himself and learned to carry the team, Ryunosuke tries to respond to their feelings with words that seem like the creed of the number 10 jersey.
"I want to reach a stage that no Japanese player has ever achieved. If I succeed in La Liga with Valencia, I believe I can reach a place no one has ever seen before. I see it as a club full of potential. Rather than surpassing someone else, I want to establish my own career and player identity. It’s truly a blessing to have so many people supporting me, and I want to cherish those people. I want to continue being a player who is supported, and I would be happy if the number of such supporters grows worldwide."
And it is said that Okuhara’s dream eventually became Ryunosuke’s dream as well.
"That is also my own dream. Rather than for Mr. Okuhara, I want to seize it as my own goal. Someday, I want to become Japan’s number 10 and play in front of everyone as Japan’s ace. I’m off!"
The story woven by the inheritance of dreams has only just begun. The words spoken at the moment of departure are sure to be nurtured from now on on Spanish soil.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he moves toward the door on the right and swings it wide open──.
Will the one who bursts through the opened door be Ryunosuke SATO wearing the Japan national team’s number 10 jersey? Or will it be another player?
Even Frank R. Stockton does not know. However, only Ryunosuke SATO can freely rewrite that ending.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
Photos by Kenichi Arai
