According to Mundo Deportivo, Takefusa Kubo started and scored a goal in Japan's friendly against Brazil. After scoring, he lifted his jersey to show support for his injured teammate Ander Barrenetxea.
This is Takefusa Kubo's moment. He needs to step up and regain his form, especially to fill the void with Ander Barrenetxea sidelined for several months. It is more important than ever for him to do so, and he started his recovery with a goal against Brazil just days after Real Sociedad's No. 7 was injured, which is undoubtedly a good start.
The Japan winger started in Japan's friendly against Brazil and quickly scored the opening goal. It was a brilliant quick counter-attack where he ran into space, dribbled forward, faced the center-back, and calmly slotted the ball into the near corner, beating the Brazil goalkeeper.
The goal was both beautiful and important, but there was an even better detail: his gesture of support for his friend and teammate Ander Barrenetxea. Takefusa Kubo did not hesitate to lift his jersey while celebrating the 1-0 goal, revealing a message on his undershirt: "Barre, get well soon."
It was an important day for the Japanese player, who had not scored for Japan in nearly a year and a half, and he chose to share this significant moment with a teammate thousands of kilometers away who is going through a difficult time.