Keisuke Honda: The Maverick Who Scored at Three World Cups
Keisuke Honda: The Maverick Who Scored at Three World Cups
Big games, big personality, and a knuckleball free kick the world remembers. Keisuke Honda wore the No.10 at AC Milan, scored at three straight World Cups, and built one of football’s most unconventional careers.
Keisuke Honda is one of Japan’s most charismatic footballers and a genuine big-game player. After a breakout move to CSKA Moscow (2010–2013), where his free kicks lit up the Champions League, he joined Italian giant AC Milan and wore the famous No.10. For Japan he scored at three consecutive World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018) — a tally that made him one of Asia’s greatest World Cup goalscorers. He went on to play in many countries and reinvent himself as a coach and investor, one of the game’s true mavericks.
In this guide
1. Who Keisuke Honda is
2. Moscow, Milan and the No.10
3. A three-World-Cup scorer
4. Why he matters
1. Who Keisuke Honda is
A big-stage talent with an outsized personality.
Keisuke Honda made his name as a powerful, left-footed attacking midfielder with supreme self-belief and a flair for the dramatic.1 Equally famous for his goals and his outspoken ambition, he became one of the faces of Japanese football for a decade. ⚠ This profile covers a long career; later moves change often.
2. Moscow, Milan and the No.10
After starting in Japan (Nagoya Grampus) and the Netherlands (VVV-Venlo), Honda joined CSKA Moscow in 2010, where his thunderous free kicks helped the club reach the Champions League knockout stages and made him a star.1 In 2014 he completed a dream move to AC Milan, taking the iconic No.10 shirt — one of the most storied numbers in world football. He later played in countries from Mexico to Australia to Brazil, a deliberately global career.
3. A three-World-Cup scorer
Honda’s biggest stage was the World Cup. He scored at three consecutive tournaments — 2010, 2014 and 2018 — including an unforgettable knuckleball free kick against Denmark in 2010.2 His total of four World Cup goals stands among the very best by any Asian player, and he repeatedly delivered in Japan’s biggest moments. ⚠ Historical records are settled; later career moves vary.
4. Why he matters
- He delivered on the biggest stage. Goals at three straight World Cups.
- He wore football’s most famous shirt. The No.10 at AC Milan.
- He redefined the Japanese footballer. Globe-trotting, outspoken, entrepreneurial — a true maverick.
In five lines
- Keisuke Honda is one of Japan’s most charismatic and accomplished footballers.
- At CSKA Moscow (2010–2013) his free kicks shone in the Champions League.
- He joined AC Milan and wore the iconic No.10 shirt.
- He scored at three consecutive World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018).
- He played in many countries and reinvented himself as a coach and investor.
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Sources & notes
- Keisuke Honda — Nagoya/VVV-Venlo; CSKA Moscow (2010–2013), Champions League free kicks; AC Milan (No.10); multi-country career. Wikipedia (JA); Soccer King
- Scored at three consecutive World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018); knuckleball free kick vs Denmark 2010; four WC goals (among the best by an Asian player). theWORLD
A player profile dated 14 June 2026. World Cup/club records are settled; later-career moves change — flagged ⚠ items should be confirmed against official sources.
📅 更新履歴
| 日付 | 変更内容 |
|---|---|
| 2026年6月14日 | 初回公開 |
✅ ファクト再検証
最終検証日：2026年6月14日
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