It was long. It was tough. About three years since the "phantom goal" that excited Ajinomoto Stadium, the time has finally come. Keita YAMASHITA, who has been enduring days of hardship since joining in the 2022 season, finally scored his first goal in blue and red on February 26 in Sec. 3 of the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League match against Nagoya Grampus. Overcoming a serious injury during his loan transfer and a long rehabilitation, he struck with a powerful shot. What kind of feelings were embedded in that moment?
There is a word that has been stuck deep in my heart and won't leave.
"We need to score goals and have good articles written again."
The phrase was uttered by Yamashita, who had been away from the pitch for over a year due to injury. Since playing for Sagan Tosu on August 14, 2021, he had been distant from that joy. On April 6, 2022, during the Sec. 7 match of the 2022 Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Vissel Kobe, he shook the net and was overwhelmed with joy. However, with the support of VAR, the goal was disallowed. Since then, his first goal after the transfer has been on hold.
In the 2023 season, he sought a place to shine and was loaned to Shonan Bellmare. However, he returned to Tokyo in July after injuring his left knee meniscus, feeling unfulfilled. Yamashita endured a grueling rehabilitation process that lasted over a year and did not hold back his gratitude towards the trainers and those who supported him.
I can only express my gratitude to those who stood by me, sacrificing their own time and accepting everything.
Last season, he started to steadily walk the road to recovery, coming on as a substitute in the last six matches of the league. At that time, I asked Yamashita, "Have you returned to the state you were in before your injury?" To that question, he replied, "Rather than going back to the way I was before the injury, I want to create a new version of myself," and continued.
"I want to work in the penalty area. Above all, I want to be a forward who can score goals. While post play and defense are important, a forward who can score will definitely help the team. It's one step at a time, but I want to make an impression and show myself starting from practice matches."
What followed was the opening words. Swallowing the anxiety towards a comeback, the pride of the striker that made him吐き出させた pierced deeply into a profound place.
And finally, that moment has arrived. On February 26, in the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 3 match against Nagoya, he took the pitch from the start. The day before, Yamashita openly stated in preparation for his first start in 1025 days, "Honestly, I'm only thinking about scoring. It's what I need the most right now. I believe whether I can seize this opportunity is what being a professional is all about."
It was truly a case of actions speaking louder than words.
In the 31st minute of the first half, with the score at 0-0, Sato Eiin received the ball in the area and pushed in a ground cross with his right foot, scoring the opening goal. In the next moment, emotions that had been forgotten surged out as if to release something that had been building up. He shouted, jumped up, raised his fist, and hugged his teammates. Yamashita said, "I was so happy that I don't really remember much," and smiled wryly.
It has been 1292 days. In my fourth season since joining, I scored my first goal after the transfer and said, "I don't want to talk about it too much, but I guess it can't be helped. There have been various things, and I have been supported by the coach, coaching staff, and trainers throughout my rehabilitation. I wanted to give back, and I'm glad I was able to score and win." He smiled broadly.
It was a shot filled with feelings of gratitude and struggles. However, for a goal scorer, this must be the best remedy of all.
"I needed that 'medicine', so I am grateful to my teammates. I believe it was a really significant goal for me. I think it was necessary for me at this moment, so I want to continue to aim for goals with greed. I won't be satisfied with just this one match; as my senior Yuto NAGATOMO always says in practice, 'Go with intensity.' I want to bring that intensity while keeping a cool head and doing my best."
The way Keita spoke with such a smile changed the way the words that pierced my heart resonated. I don't know if I wrote a good article, but I think I'll try to depict it a little better next time. That time will surely come soon.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
