In the realm of Japanese soccer, few players in recent years have generated as much buzz—and controversy—as striker Yuma Suzuki. The 28-year-old forward, currently plying his trade with J1 League giants Kashima Antlers, boasts a remarkable goal-scoring record that should, by all accounts, make him a shoo-in for the national team. Yet, despite his consistent brilliance at the club level, Suzuki remains a perpetual outcast from the Samurai Blue setup, with his continued omission raising eyebrows and sparking heated debates among fans and pundits alike.
A Prolific Marksman
Suzuki’s rise to prominence began early in his career, with the precocious talent helping Kashima Antlers to J1 League glory while still in his teens. His crowning achievement came in 2018, when, at just 22, he spearheaded the club’s triumphant AFC Champions League campaign, earning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award in the process. A move to Europe soon followed, with Suzuki joining Belgian side Sint-Truiden, where he wasted little time in making his mark.
Conquering Belgium
In his debut season in the Belgian Pro League, Suzuki notched an impressive 17 goals—a tally that placed him fourth in the division’s scoring charts. His performances caught the eye of several bigger clubs, but a transfer failed to materialize, and the striker somewhat surprisingly found himself back in Kashima colors. Undeterred, Suzuki picked up where he left off, continuing to find the net with unerring regularity.
Yuma has a mongrel about him. He isn’t afraid to engage in the dark arts.
– Paul Williams, veteran Asian football writer
The Antlers’ Talisman
Over the past three years, Suzuki has been a talismanic presence for Kashima, with his goals often proving the difference between success and failure. Earlier this season, a blistering run of form saw him net nine times in just 11 outings, propelling the Antlers into title contention. However, a recent dry spell, coinciding with a dip in the team’s fortunes, has only served to underline his importance to the cause.
A Fiery Personality
For all his undoubted talent, Suzuki is no stranger to controversy. His fiery temperament and penchant for the theatrical have earned him a reputation as Japanese soccer’s pantomime villain, with his antics often overshadowing his on-field exploits. Just this past weekend, Suzuki saw red for a retaliatory shove on an opponent—an incident that encapsulated both the best and worst of his game.
What is perceived as arrogance by some can simply be confidence to others.
– An unnamed J.League coach familiar with Suzuki
The Samurai Blue Snub
It is this aspect of Suzuki’s character that many believe is the root cause of his continued exile from the national team setup. Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, known for his preference for a harmonious dressing room, has steadfastly refused to call upon the mercurial striker, even in the face of mounting pressure from fans and media alike. With first-choice forward Ayase Ueda currently sidelined through injury, Suzuki’s absence has become all the more glaring.
Unfulfilled Potential
As Japan embark on their latest round of World Cup qualifiers, the clamor for Suzuki’s inclusion has reached fever pitch. Yet, barring a dramatic U-turn from Moriyasu, it appears increasingly likely that one of the country’s most gifted strikers will be forced to watch from the sidelines once more. For Suzuki, it is a fate that threatens to define his legacy—a tale of unfulfilled potential and what might have been.
A Polarizing Figure
Ultimately, the curious case of Yuma Suzuki serves as a reminder of the fine margins that often separate success from failure at the highest level. A player of undeniable talent, yet one whose temperament and personality have seemingly conspired to deny him the international recognition his abilities deserve. As he approaches the peak years of his career, time is running out for Suzuki to force his way into Moriyasu’s plans and avoid the ignominy of being remembered as the best Japanese striker to never represent his country.
Until, if ever, he wins his first cap, he will remain a genuine contender to the unwanted tag of being the best Japanese striker to never play for the Samurai Blue.
– Gabriel Tan, ESPN
As the debate rages on, one thing remains clear: Yuma Suzuki is a player who divides opinion like few others. A maverick, a misfit, a genius? Perhaps, in truth, he is all of these things and more. But unless and until he is given the chance to prove his worth on the international stage, his true legacy will remain forever shrouded in mystery—a tantalizing “what if” that will haunt Japanese soccer for generations to come.
