“I Finally Made It Back” — Ko Itakura Returns After Two and a Half Months Out, Shares His Honest Feelings
The World Cup is about to begin! Samurai Blue in Europe: Part 2
Competition from rivals is actually very welcome!
Good news has arrived for the Japan national football team at this crucial moment: the return of defender Ko Itakura (29).
Itakura, who plays for Ajax in the Dutch first division, returned to competitive action on April 11 in a league match against Heracles after about two and a half months out. Although he was used as a defensive midfielder rather than his usual center-back position, he showed composed play. After the match, he smiled and said, “I’ve finally made it back.”
“It’s been a long road, but I’ve finally moved up one step. I did feel impatient, but it wasn’t a muscle injury—it was pain in my lower back—so I carefully adjusted while monitoring my balance. Unlike a normal injury, because it was my lower back (the core of the body), I didn’t know when I could start running again or what the timeline for return would be, and there were mentally tough periods. First of all, I want to take positively the fact that I was able to play after such a long time. From here, I want to raise my condition.”
Itakura, who experienced the previous Qatar World Cup and played a central role in the three-back system during the Asian final qualifiers, was absent from both of Moriyasu Japan’s major victories over strong opponents—the match against Brazil last October and the match against England this March—due to poor condition. During that time, new forces such as Junnosuke Suzuki (22) emerged in the defensive line. Considering his position, he must also feel a sense of urgency.
“I watched the England match at home. It wasn’t an easy game, but I was inspired by how everyone was playing while imagining the World Cup. I understand that there were many players performing well even while I was absent, and since this is the national team, competition is natural. There is no one whose position is secure.
However, defense is something the whole team works on together. I myself have grown since the last World Cup, and the emergence of new players is only a positive for the team. Having greater depth is something to welcome, and I want to continue to make my case within that.”
It was also reported that head coach Hajime Moriyasu (57) visited his club before his return.
“I won’t go into what we talked about. I will refrain from the details, but I was honestly happy that he was thinking about me.”
At the Qatar World Cup, he played in all three group-stage matches, but missed the round of 16 (last 16) match against Croatia due to accumulated yellow cards, as Japan was eliminated. The North and Central America World Cup will be a stage for redemption.
Looking back, he suffered a knee ligament injury before the opening of the Qatar tournament and participation was in doubt, but he ended up playing almost without preparation and delivered a performance that met expectations.
“Compared to last time, I’m glad I was able to step onto the pitch at this timing.”
In Itakura’s return match, his Ajax teammate Takehiro Tomiyasu (27) also came on during the second half. He too was returning from injury, but unfortunately had to leave the pitch after about 15 minutes. Even so, the fact that both of them were on the pitch is good news.
The announcement of the World Cup squad will be made on May 15. The samurai warriors sharpening their skills in Europe await that day with various thoughts in their hearts.
From the May 15 and 22, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”
Interview and text by： Masao Kurihara Photo by： Watanabe Koji