Japanese soccer legend Shinji Ono retires at 44
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
[Source]
Japanese soccer legend Shinji Ono, one of the biggest stars in Asian football, ended his 26-year career Sunday with the announcement of his retirement.
Final match: Wearing a No. 44 jersey that matched his age, Ono finished Sunday night’s game with a loss for his team, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, against the Urawa Reds 2-0 at the Sapporo Dome in Hokkaido. The Consadole Sapporo ranked 12th while Urawa Reds finished fourth this season of the J1 League.
👏👏👏 Shinji Ono takes his final bow as his incredible career comes to an end at the Sapporo Dome.
Thank you to a one-of-a-kind Japanese football talent and a J.League legend. 🇯🇵⚽️ pic.twitter.com/07XdbVn3m8
Trending on NextShark: New survey reveals trends of how Japanese couples meet
— J.LEAGUE Official (English) (@J_League_En) December 3, 2023
Speaking at a ceremony after the match, Ono recognized his late mother for introducing him to soccer. His mother passed away on Oct. 17.
Trending on NextShark: Wasabi may provide 'really substantial' boosts to memory: study
“Thank you for giving birth to me and letting me meet this wonderful thing called football," Ono said. He exited the dome with a thunderous applause and cheers from fans.
天才サッカー選手 小野伸二 引退試合に
Mr.Childrenの桜井和寿からもメッセージ
サッカーの繋がりいいね
pic.twitter.com/xMFDpWjVIB— きょん@Mr.Nb (@MrKafeoren) December 3, 2023
Trending on NextShark: Watch: Cat in China crosses street every day to get noodles to eat with his kibble
About Ono: After making his international debut with the Urawa Reds at 18, Ono played for Japan’s Samurai Blue at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. He won the J-League Rookie of the Year Award while playing for Urawa Reds in the same year. He made two more appearances at the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and 2006 under the Japanese flag.
Ono joined the Feyenoord Football Club in the Netherlands after his run with Urawa Reds in 2001. In his first season with the Dutch team, he became the first Japanese player to lift a major European trophy after they won the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Cup, now known as the UEFA Europa League.
Trending on NextShark: Nvidia's billionaire CEO Jensen Huang enjoys Vietnam's street food during Hanoi visit
Ono also won J1, the Emperor’s Cup and Asian Champions League titles in a span of two seasons after returning to the Urawa Reds in 2006.
What’s next: Ono told reporters that his football life does not end with his retirement. Without elaborating, he said “I want to help Japanese football in my next stage of life if I can in some way."
／
礼に始まり礼に終わる💪
そして、扉にもソフトタッチの小野伸二⭐️
＼
試合後に行われた引退会見。
登場時には #小野伸二 選手の人柄が滲み出た一幕も🤩 pic.twitter.com/IU3UsPbxm2Trending on NextShark: $10,000 members-only sushi restaurant set to open in Miami
— Ｊリーグ（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (@J_League) December 3, 2023
Download the NextShark App:
Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
