Maya Yoshida

Did you know a single calm player can make a whole team feel safer? Meet Maya Yoshida! He’s famous for making clever tackles and organizing defenders so opponents can’t score. He uses clear talking and smart moves to stop attacks.

Maya Yoshida was born in Nagasaki, Japan in 1988. He is a centre-back — the player who protects the goal. He started playing as a kid and worked hard to play in Europe. He rose to fame in the 2000s–2020s by playing in top leagues across Europe and by wearing Japan’s national shirt many times.

He has played for clubs in Japan (Nagoya Grampus), the Netherlands (VVV‑Venlo), Italy (Sampdoria) and England (Southampton). He has been part of Japan’s national team since 2010, made more than 100 appearances, and has played at FIFA World Cups — big tournaments with the best players in the world.

What makes Maya special is his calm leadership. He reads the game, talks to teammates, wins headers, and rarely panics. He has worn the captain's armband and helps younger players learn. Coaches and fans respect him for being steady under pressure. Young players look up to him as a role model.

That’s Maya Yoshida in one minute: a brave, thoughtful defender who showed that kids from Japan can lead teams on the biggest stages. If you love football, watch him play to learn teamwork, focus, talking on the pitch, and how to be a great defender. Practice, help friends, and stay calm!