Hiroki Sakai is a professional soccer player currently playing as a right back for Urawa Red Diamonds club in his hometown of Japan as well as the Japan national team.
Sakai has also played for a number of European teams and is an important piece in the squads of teams such as Hannover 96 and Olympique Marseille. Let’s 6686bet Learn about this talented player’s professional football career journey right below.
Hiroki Sakai’s club career
Kashiwa Reysol
Ahead of the 2010 season, Sakai was promoted to the first team of Kashiwa Reysol, where he signed a contract with the club and was given the number 30 shirt. It was not until 5 May 2010 that he made his debut for Kashiwa Reysol, came on as a substitute for Yohei Kurakawa in the 77th minute, in a 1-1 draw against Ventforet Kofu. Sakai then made his first start for the team on 25 July 2010 and scored a goal in a 2–2 draw against JEF United Chiba.
Before the 2011 season, the club announced that Sakai was among the players who agreed to stay at Kashiwa Reysol and was given the number 4 shirt. However, he missed the start of the season due to a broken metatarsal injury. foot, causing him to miss six games. It wasn’t until 23 April 2011 that Sakai made his first appearance that season in a 1–0 win over Omiya Ardija.
At the start of the 2012 season, Sakai started the season well, helping Kashiwa Reysol win the Japanese Super Cup by defeating FC Tokyo 2–1 on 3 March 2012. His performance in the 2012 season attracted attention. interest from European clubs, especially those from Germany.
Hannover 96
Sakai in color shirt Hanover 96
On 13 June 2012, Hannover 96 agreed to sign a contract withHiroki Sakaifrom Kashiwa Reysol. However, at the beginning of the 2012–13 season, Sakai missed several matches due to playing for the Japanese team. It was not until 31 August 2012 that he played for Hannover 9 when he debuted in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League qualifying round and scored 1 goal in a 5–1 win over Śląsk Wrocław. In his first season at Hannover 96,Hiroki Sakaimade 17 appearances in all competitions for the team.
In the 2013–14 season, despite having to sit out many times during the season, butHiroki Sakaistill made 28 appearances and scored once in all competitions. During the 2014–15 season, Sakai earned a place at right back in the first team following Cherundolo’s retirement.
Before the 2015–16 season, Sakai was expected to leave Hannover 96, having received interest from clubs such as Napoli and other clubs. Sakai missed the rest of the 2015/16 season due to a muscle injury, making 28 appearances and scoring once in all competitions. After Hannover 96 were relegated, Sakai expressed his desire to leave the club.
Olympic Marseille
Following Hannover 96’s relegation, Sakai moved to Ligue 1 side Marseille on a free transfer on 23 June 2016. Sakai made his debut for Olympique de Marseille in the opening match of the season, where he assisted for Florian Thauvin in the 4–0 win over Toulouse.
At the start of the 2017–18 season, Sakai continued to assert his importance in the starting lineup for the side, playing at right-back despite having to compete with Bouna Sarr
On April 12, 2018 (which was his 28th birthday),Hiroki Sakaiscored his first goal in the UEFA Europa League in the quarter-final second leg to help Marseille win 5–2 against RB Leipzig to progress to the next round with a 5–3 aggregate score. Sakai ended the 2017/18 season with 50 appearances and scoring two goals in all competitions.
At the end of the 2020–21 season,Hiroki Sakaiannounced his departure from the club despite having one year left on his contract.
Urawa Red Diamonds
On June 10, 2021,Hiroki Sakaireturned to Japan, signing with Urawa Red Diamonds in J1 League.
Hiroki Sakai’s career at the national team level
In October 2011, Sakai was called up to the national team for the first time. After eight months since being called up to the national team, Sakai made his debut, where he played 45 minutes, in a 2–0 win over Azerbaijan in the Kirill Challenge Cup on 23 May 2012. .
In May 2014, Sakai was named in Japan’s preliminary squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. However, Sakai did not play in the World Cup as he had to sit on the bench for the remainder of the tournament. In May 2018, Sakai was named in Japan’s preliminary squad for the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Sakai made his World Cup debut against Colombia in match one of the Group Stage, where he played the entire match in a 2–1 win.
Conclude: Above is information about his careerHiroki Sakai, one of Japan’s talented players.Watch 6686bet football online will update the latest and interesting information about other players every day
