Gaku Shibasaki

Early career

Born in Noheji, Aomori, Japan, Shibasaki began playing in his first year at elementary school. Once he started junior school at Aomori Yamada High School, he left his hometown and started living in a dormitory, saying: "In a higher level environment, the dream of becoming a professional at that time is now a waypoint into the future. I would like to play an active role in Kashima's match in a year." During his time at high school, he quickly developed with his well-balanced plate accurate kick for offense and defence, as well as, his high judgment and high precision. Two years later on 11 January 2010, Shibasaki helped Aomoriyamada High School reach the final of National High School Championship Final, only to lose 1–0 against Yamanashi Gakuin University. Following the end of the tournament, he was among 36 players named as the best players by the National Sports Committee of the Football Association. Later in August 2010, Shibasaki was among 33 players named as the best players by the National Sports Committee of the Football Association once again. Towards the end of the year, he also became a captain for Aomoriyamada High School and helped the All Japan Youth Championship Final, only to lose 2–0 against Tokyo U-18. It was announced on 20 January 2010 that Shibasaki will be joining Kashima Antlers, starting from the 2011 season. Upon joining the club, he revealed that he had offers from Nagoya Grampus, but opted to join Kashima Antlers instead.

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Youth career

Throughout 2007, Shibasaki represented the Japan U-15 side and appeared for the U-15 side in a number of matches. In 2008, Shibasaki was called up to the Japan U-16 squad for both the Montaigu Tournament and Viktor Bannikov Memorial Tournament. Later in September 2008, he was called up to the Japan U-16 squad for the AFC U-16 Championship in Uzbekistan. Shibasaki scored Japan's U16 first goal of the tournament, in a 4–0 win against Malaysia U-16 on 5 October 2008. He made two more appearances in the group stage and helped the national side progress to the quarter–finals of the tournament. Shibasaki appeared in two more matches in the tournament by beating Saudi Arabia U-16 2–0 in the quarter–finals, but lost 2–1 to South Korea U-16 in the semi–finals. In January 2009, Shibasaki was elected Japan U-17 national team for the first time. He made his Japan U17 debut, starting a match before being substituted in the 55th minute, in a 2–2 draw against Brazil U17 on 25 January 2009. Later in October 2009, Shibasaki was called up to Japan U-17 squad again for the 2009 U-17 World Cup in Nigeria and wore the number 10 shirt for the U-17 side. He played in all three matches, as Japan U-17 were eliminated in the group stage. Six months later, Shibasaki was called up to the Japan U19 squad but never made an appearance for the U-19 side.

Senior career

In February 2012, Shibasaki was called up to the Japan for the first time ahead of a match against Iceland by…

Club

As of 15 January 2025

International

As of match played 17 November 2022

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Shibasaki goal.

Shibasaki has two older brothers, whom one of them got him into football. Growing up, Shibasaki said in an interview that his ambition is to become a footballer, having no interests in anything but football. He also idolised Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti and Hidetoshi Nakata. When asked in an interview on how does his improve his concentration before the game, Shibasaki said: "First of all, I start by creating my own world. I create my own senses, spaces, and rhythms. At the same time, I become more focused by being aware of my surroundings. I'm doing something over there, I picked up something and I recognize the movement in the space." He began a relationship with the actress and singer Erina Mano and their relationship wasn't made public until on 25 November 2017. They were married on 16 July 2018. In September 2015, it was announced that Shibasaki was appointed as a support leader of the 94th National High School Soccer Championship. In addition to speaking Japanese, he has been learning Galician and acknowledged at Deportivo La Coruña's press conference that his Spanish is not good. Shibasaki also spoke out about living in Spain. In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, Shibasaki posted a message on his social media account, urging people to stay at home.