Maya Yoshida gets Guard of Honor in Final Match With Japan
The LA Galaxy captain says goodbye to the Japanese National Team in Tokyo match
When Maya Yoshida walked off the field at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it was the lowest moment of his career. Japan had topped its group, which included Spain and Germany, and played some great football in that tournament. But it was Yoshida, who captained the side, who dealt with the defeat the hardest.
He missed a crucial penalty in the Round of 16 shootout against Croatia. Japan’s dream of being a dark horse at the tournament came to an end. Yoshida was defeated and struggled to contain his emotions when talking to the media after the game. You can hear him struggle to get the right words out when asked to describe the moment.
That moment was the last time Yoshida represented his country at the international level. Aside from winning the 2011 Asia Cup, Yoshida’s time with the Samurai Blue hasn’t been filled with success. It’s been filled with heartbreak and moments of silence reflecting on what could’ve been.
Ending on positive terms in football is rare. The game is cruel, and not every player can have the fairy tale ending that you would see in movies.
Take former LA Galaxy player Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. He’s Mexico’s all-time top goalscorer and hasn’t suited up for El Tri since 2019. At the club level, Chicharito’s missed penalty in the Liga MX Playoffs for his boyhood club Chivas is currently the last kick of his career. That moment is potentially the last time he could kick a ball as a professional.
However, Yoshida is getting one last moment with Japan. He’s represented the country in 53 international friendlies, 43 World Cup Qualifiers, 15 Olympic fixtures, 15 AFC Asian Cup contests, an Asian Cup qualifier, and three Confederations Cup group stage matches.
Yoshida was invited for one last match with his home country ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Samurai Blue faced up against Iceland at the National Stadium in Japan. He spent the last week in training sessions with his old teammates and seeing the next generation of Japanese football put on the shirt of the national team.
There is no more deserving player than Yoshida to have this moment. His time with the LA Galaxy has shown the dedication, professionalism, and class that have followed him through his career. He’s captained LA through tough seasons but has also been the leader in its 2024 Championship campaign.
After 14 minutes of action against Iceland, Yoshida came off the pitch one final time for his country. Both teams gave the 37-year-old a guard of honor, while the home crowd gave a standing ovation. In the capital of his home country, Yoshida got a hero’s goodbye.
Yoshida then passed the captain’s armband to Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo before leaving the pitch. Then one final applause with the crowd before walking back to the bench.
Unlike other moments in his career with Japan, this is a moment for Yoshida to cherish. The tears are of joy and thankfulness rather than regret and agony. The applause for one of the pillars of Japanese soccer is well deserved for Yoshida.