21 Facts About Daisuke Matsui

Daisuke Matsui is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

In 2000, Matsui graduated from Kagoshima Jitsugyo High School and began his professional career with Kyoto Purple Sanga of the J1 League.

However, the following season Daisuke Matsui played a prominent role in helping his club finish first in J2, earning the club a promotion back to J1.

The club's success and Daisuke Matsui's increased exposure lead to Daisuke Matsui being called up to the national team for the first time in 2003.

In 2004, after four and a half seasons in Kyoto, Daisuke Matsui signed with Le Mans of Ligue 2 in France.

Daisuke Matsui chose Le Mans, then a second division club, over Lazio, one of the top clubs in Serie A, because he believed that the style of Italian football was too defensive.

In Japan, Daisuke Matsui had been criticized for his small physique and mental weakness, but he adapted to the fast, physical style of French football by changing his style and holding on to the ball less.

Daisuke Matsui was voted as the Player of the Month for January 2006.

In 2009, Daisuke Matsui again moved to a new club in the Ligue 1, this time to Grenoble.

Daisuke Matsui still showed his qualities by scoring four league goals in the campaign; one versus Lorient on 28 November 2009, two goals against Auxerre on 6 February 2010 and one versus Sochaux on 17 April 2010.

On 5 July 2011, Daisuke Matsui signed a two-year contract with the club in Dijon, a new entrant in France's Ligue 1.

On 11 September 2012, Daisuke Matsui joined Bulgarian A PFG club Slavia Sofia.

In 2014, Daisuke Matsui returned to Japan and signed with J2 League club Jubilo Iwata.

In 2018, Daisuke Matsui returned to Japan and signed with J2 League club Yokohama FC.

Daisuke Matsui made his national team debut on 22 June 2003 with Japan at 2003 Confederations Cup against Colombia and scored his international goal against Angola on 11 October 2005.

Daisuke Matsui played for the U-23 national team at the 2004 Olympics.

Daisuke Matsui was called up for the first time under Ivica Osim's reign to play in friendlies against Austria and Switzerland in September 2007.

Daisuke Matsui has continued to make national team appearances under Takeshi Okada, who has replaced Osim after Osim suffered a stroke in November 2007.

Daisuke Matsui played all 4 matches and Japan qualified to the knockout stage.

Daisuke Matsui played 2 matches and Japan won the champions.

Daisuke Matsui played 31 games and scored 1 goal for Japan until 2011.