AFC Asian Cup
Now 25, the career of the Kawasaki-born playmaker has not panned out quite how some expected but the Real Sociedad man has still managed to establish himself as a key player in Hajime Moriyasu’s squad.
Factfile
Age: 25
Caps: 54
Goals: 7
Club: Real Sociedad (ESP)
Age: 25
Caps: 54
Goals: 7
Club: Real Sociedad (ESP)
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Kubo’s four-year stint in Barcelona saw him rub shoulders with some of European football’s best up-and-coming players before making a return to Japan to join FC Tokyo as a 15-year-old and soon after he was debuting in the J1 League.
After almost three years back in his homeland excelling for FC Tokyo and during a brief loan period with Yokohama F Marinos, Kubo was returning to Spain having made his senior international debut against El Salvador as a substitute in June 2019.
After almost three years back in his homeland excelling for FC Tokyo and during a brief loan period with Yokohama F Marinos, Kubo was returning to Spain having made his senior international debut against El Salvador as a substitute in June 2019.
Trivia
Japan's 8-1 win over Uzbekistan in the 2000 edition makes them the only team other than IR Iran to score eight goals in an AFC Asian Cup™ match.
However, his journey back to Europe did not see him rekindle his relationship with Barcelona but, rather, he signed for the club’s arch rivals Real Madrid, spending three seasons on Los Merengues books but constantly on loan elsewhere.
Two stints at Mallorca as well as spells with Villarreal and Getafe ended with Kubo joining La Real in 2022 and since signing for the San Sebastian-based outfit Kubo has established himself as one of La Liga’s premier offensive players.
Two stints at Mallorca as well as spells with Villarreal and Getafe ended with Kubo joining La Real in 2022 and since signing for the San Sebastian-based outfit Kubo has established himself as one of La Liga’s premier offensive players.
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With Japan he was a key component in the team that reached the semi-finals of the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021 but at the FIFA World Cup he has been less fortunate, with only two 45-minute appearances in 2022 while injury disrupted his involvement in 2026.
Kubo was more prominent during Japan’s run to the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, featuring in all five of his country’s matches as their involvement ended at the hands of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the last eight.
Kubo was more prominent during Japan’s run to the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, featuring in all five of his country’s matches as their involvement ended at the hands of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the last eight.
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He is, however, a vital creative cog in Moriyasu’s team. His understanding with Ritsu Doan on the right has been key to unlocking opposing defences and his ability to play in any of the playmaking positions behind striker Ayase Ueda makes him a threat wherever he features.
Kubo’s extensive experience of European football’s most prestigious club competitions means he is able to handle the most intense situations and make him vital to Japan’s quest to win the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 2011.
Kubo’s extensive experience of European football’s most prestigious club competitions means he is able to handle the most intense situations and make him vital to Japan’s quest to win the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 2011.
