Known for flair, invention and influence in Japan's professional football emergence; biggest achievements: Japan international after naturalization, Verdy Kawasaki success, J.League cultural impact.
One rank above: Naohiro Takahara at #24.
One rank below: Yuya Osako at #26.
Japan's editorial top five: Hidetoshi Nakata · Shinji Kagawa · Keisuke Honda · Makoto Hasebe · Shunsuke Nakamura.