'You were still active?' Honda Caseke Becomes World Journeyman, Extends Active Service in Bhutan League. 11th international transfer achieved
Aug 15, 2024
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Honda Keisuke (38), who is a legend of Japanese soccer and has a record of 98 A matches, including three World Cups (2010 South Africa, 2014 Brazil, 2018 Russia), has moved to a new country's professional team.
Honda is already retired and likely to be a manager, manager or football administrator, but he still hasn't given up his commitment to active duty. To this end, he signed with a professional team from Bhutan, a small Asian country. It is a short-term contract to play only one game. This marks Honda's rare record of signing with an overseas professional team for the 11th time in his career. It is the birth of the 'World Journeyman'.
British media Daily Star said on the 15th (Korea time) 'Japanese legend Honda signed with the 11th overseas professional team to remain active. Many soccer fans are surprised that he is still active,' the report said.
Honda, a Japanese soccer legend, has already finished his career and turned into a leader. In 2018, he was appointed as the general manager (= coach) of the Cambodian national team. Although he did not receive a formal supervisory title due to the lack of P-level licenses required to serve as a supervisor, he served as a practical supervisor. Since the following year, he has also served as U-23 coach.
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Honda, however, returned to the active ground for a spectacular retirement for the last time. This is to end his active career by playing in his last game at Paro FC, the champion of the Bhutan League. He signed a one-game contract with Paro to play in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge League playoff game. In the game in Kathmandu, Paro won 2-1 to recruit Honda.
Honda has made his name as a player who has continued his professional career in 11 countries since his first professional debut in his home country of Japan. Honda, who moved from Nagoya to the Netherlands in 2007, has since moved to Russia → Italy → Mexico → Australia → Netherlands → Brazil → Azerbaijan → Lithuania. And he signed his 11th overseas club contract with the last Bhutan champion Faro.
Honda seems to regard the contract as a symbolic meaning. I'm not saying I'm going to continue my active career, but I've signed a contract to retire now. So I signed only one game.
However, overseas soccer fans seem to be surprised that Honda's name has reappeared. There are many fans who already know him as a coach. in general "I can't believe I'm still active." is being driven by the atmosphere.
wman@sportschosun.com
