Takumi Minamino, the 27‑year‑old forward who has been sidelined since December with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, is poised to re‑enter Japan's World Cup lineup as the tournament approaches next month.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu had initially left the player out of the provisional 26‑man list, but after a period of rehabilitation the coaching staff has confirmed his inclusion, signaling confidence in his recovery and readiness to contribute.
A dual transition in Japanese football
Hidemasa Morita, the Japanese defender who helped Sporting CP capture back‑to‑back league titles, announced on Instagram that the club ‘gave him a dream stage’ and that he is proud of the legacy he leaves behind.
Morita's departure also marks his absence from the Japanese national team that will compete in the upcoming edition of the World Cup, a competition he previously experienced in Qatar two years ago but has not featured in since March of last year.
Both narratives underscore the fluid nature of international football, where injury comebacks and club transitions intertwine with national ambitions, and they set the stage for a fresh chapter for Japan as it prepares for matches across Canada, Mexico and the United States.