Kōta Takai's professional football journey began in April 2022 when he made his debut for Kawasaki Frontale at 17. Initially an unused substitute in the AFC Champions League, he eventually played a significant role in the team's performance. By 2023, Takai was integrated into the senior squad, signified by his change of jersey number. At just 20 years old, he has already earned four caps for Japan and is expected to be in contention for the national team during the upcoming FIFA World Cup, demonstrating his rapid rise in football performance in a short period.
In April 2022, while it had been two years since the coronavirus pandemic first escalated, prevailing heightened safety measures meant that Asia's premier club competition -- now known as the AFC Champions League Elite -- was still being played in centralised venues.
Kōta Takai was about to make his professional debut as a 17-year-old coming through the ranks of J1 League outfit Kawasaki Frontale.
Still only 20, Takai has already been capped four times by Japan at senior level and looks a legitimate chance to be part of their squad for next year's FIFA World Cup.
By the end of 2024, Takai was a legitimate rising star of Japanese football.
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