is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a right back and the inaugural captain for A-League club Auckland FC.
Born in Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan, Sakai was introduced to football by his two older brothers and joined a school football team when he was in the third grade of elementary school. Sakai initially played as a striker before converting to a full back, where he has played since. Sakai spent 10 years with the school football team before joining Kashiwa Reysol U15 side in 2003.
Sakai progressed through the ranks of the Kashiwa Reysol and learned his guidance under Tatsuma Yoshida. Eventually, he worked his way through to the U16 and U18 side despite suffering injuries along the way. During his progress, Sakai joined Mogi Mirim to study abroad on a shortâÂÂterm, though he said the experience benefited him to improve his rightâÂÂback and centreâÂÂback positions. Sakai eventually returned to Japan in November 2009.
Ahead of the 2010 season, Sakai was promoted to Kashiwa Reysol's first team, where he signed a contract with the club and was given the number 30 shirt. At the start of the 2010 season, Sakai started out on the substitute bench in number of matches. It wasn't until on 5 May 2010 when he made his Kashiwa Reysol debut, coming on as a substitute for Yohei Kurakawa in the 77th minute, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Ventforet Kofu. Sakai then made his first start for the side on 25 July 2010, starting the whole game and set up one of the goals, in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against JEF United Chiba. It wasn't until on 31 October 2010 when he scored his first goal for the club, in a 4âÂÂ1 win over Mito HollyHock. Sakai later helped Kashiwa Reysol secure promotion to J. League Division 1. Although he was featured several times later in the season, Sakai went on to make 12 appearances and scoring once for the side.
Ahead of the 2011 season, the club announced that Sakai were among players to agree to stay at Kashiwa Reysol and was given a number 4 shirt. However, he missed the start of the season, due to a metatarsal fracture injury, causing to miss six matches. It wasn't until on 23 April 2011 when Sakai made his first appearance of the season, in a 1âÂÂ0 win over Omiya Ardija. He then quickly established himself in the starting eleven, playing in the rightâÂÂback position. On 12 May 2011, it was announced that Sakai signed another contract with the club. He began to set up goals in number of matches for the side, including twice against Kawasaki Frontale on 16 July 2011. Sakai later helped Kashiwa Reysol win the league and lifted the trophy after beating Urawa Red Diamonds 3âÂÂ2 in the last game of the season. As a result, the club qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup as part of winning the league. He played his first match of the tournament, starting the whole game, in the play-off for the quarterâÂÂfinals, in a 2âÂÂ0 win over Auckland City. Sakai then scored in the semiâÂÂfinal, in a 3âÂÂ1 loss against Santos. He played four times in the tournament, as Kashiwa Reysol finished fourth place in the FIFA Club World Cup. At the end of the 2011 season, he was awarded J. League Rookie of the Year and was named in the J. League Best XI. Despite being sidelined on several occasions later in the season, Sakai made 35 appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
At the start of the 2012 season, Sakai started the season well when he helped Kashiwa Reysol win the Japanese Super Cup by beating FC Tokyo 2âÂÂ1 on 3 March 2012. Three days after winning the Japanese Super Cup, he scored his first goal of the season in the AFC Champions League, in a 3âÂÂ2 loss against Buriram United. Sakai scored and set up the club's third goal of the game, in a 3âÂÂ3 draw against Yokohama F. Marinos in the opening game of the season. His third goal of the season then came on 17 April 2012, in a 3âÂÂ1 loss against Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao in the AFC Champions League. A month later, on 17 May 2012, he set up two goals, in a 2âÂÂ1 win over Cerezo Osaka. His performance attracted interests from clubs in Europe, mostly Germany, as the season progressed. With his move to Hannover 96 reached an agreement, Sakai made his last appearance for the club, which came on 30 June 2012, in a 6âÂÂ2 win over Gamba Osaka. After his departure, he was given a farewell sendoff following an end of Kashiwa Reysol's match. Despite missing out one match by the time of his departure, Sakai continued to regain his first team place for the side this season, playing in the rightâÂÂback position and went on to make 23 appearances and scoring 3 times in all competitions this season.
It was announced on 13 June 2012 that Hannover 96 agreed to sign Sakai from Kashiwa Reysol. It was later confirmed with he signed a fourâÂÂyear contract with the club, keeping him until 2016. The transfer reportedly cost 1 million euro (100 million yen).
However, at the start of the 2012âÂÂ13 season, Sakai missed several matches, due to international commitment with Japan and his own injury concerns. It wasn't until on 31 August 2012 when he made his Hannover 96 debut in the Qualification Round Second Leg of the UEFA League Europa League and set up one of the goals, in a 5âÂÂ1 win over à Âlàsk Wrocà Âaw. Sakai then made his league debut on 23 September 2012, where he came on as a substitute from 16 minutes to the end of the game, in a 3âÂÂ1 loss against 1899 Hoffenheim. However, his first team opportunities with the club became limited and was on the substitute bench as a result. As the season progressed, Sakai began to receive more playing time for the last four matches. In his first season at Hannover 96, Sakai made 17 appearances in all competitions for the side.
Ahead of the 2013âÂÂ14 season, Sakai was expected to compete in the rightâÂÂback position with Steve Cherundolo once again. After Cherundolo injured his knee at the start of the season, he began to play in number of matches since the start of the season, playing in the rightâÂÂback position. Sakai then scored his first goal for the club, in a 3âÂÂ2 loss against Werder Bremen on 3 November 2013. In a followâÂÂup match against local rivalsâ Eintracht Braunschweig on 8 November 2013, he started and played the whole game to keep a clean sheet, in a 0âÂÂ0 draw. However, Sakai soon lost his first team place around earlyâÂÂ2014 and was placed on the substitute bench for several matches. He later returned to the starting lineup on 1 March 2014, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against FC Augsburg and regained his first team place for the rest of the season. However, Sakai missed the remaining two league matches of the 2013âÂÂ14 season when he suffered a knee injury, having previously suffered a same injury earlier in April. In his second season at Hannover 96, Sakai went on to make 28 appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
At the start of the 2014âÂÂ15 season, Sakai became Hannover 96's first choice rightâÂÂback following the retirement of Cherundolo. Along the way, he faced his own injury concern in the first half of the season. By February, however, Sakai lost his first team place to new signing, João Pereira. Over the next months as the season progressed, both he and Pereira fought over the rightâÂÂback position. However, Sakai had discipline issues when he was suspended on two occasions, including one when he was sentâÂÂoff bookable offence, in a 2âÂÂ1 win over FC Augsburg on 16 May 2015. Despite suffering from injuries during the season, Sakai made twentyâÂÂnine appearances in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2015âÂÂ16 season, Sakai was linked with a move away from Hannover 96, as clubs like Napoli and other clubs among interested. Eventually, he stayed at the club throughout the summer transfer window. At the start of the season, Sakai continued to regain his first team place in the rightâÂÂback position. This lasted until mid-September when he suffered a strain on his thigh and missed out two matches. It wasn't until on 18 October 2015 when Sakai returned from injury, coming on as a secondâÂÂhalf substitute, in a 1âÂÂ0 win over 1. FC Köln. Sakai was then sidelined again between lateâÂÂNovember and earlyâÂÂDecember when he suffered injuries for the second time this season. Since returning from injuries, Sakai regained back his first team place in the rightâÂÂback position. He then scored his first goal of the season on 23 April 2016, in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against FC Ingolstadt 04. However, the draw resulted the club being relegated to 2. Bundesliga after a 14-year stay in Bundesliga. Shortly after, Sakai missed the rest of the season with a muscle injury. At the end of the 2015âÂÂ16 season, he went on to make 28 appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
Following Hannover 96's relegation, Sakai expressed his desire to leave the club.
After Hannover 96's relegation, Sakai moved to Ligue 1 side Marseille on a free transfer on 23 June 2016. It was revealed that his then national team Manager Vahid Halilhodà ¾iàconvinced him to join Olympique de Marseille. In addition, he became the second Japanese player to join Olympique de Marseille since Kà Âji Nakata. Upon joining the club, Sakai was given a number two shirt ahead of the new season.
Sakai made his Olympique de Marseille debut in the opening game of the season, where he set up a goal for Florian Thauvin, in a 4âÂÂ0 win over Toulouse. Sakai quickly established himself in the starting eleven for the side, playing in the rightâÂÂback position. This was due to the fact that he was the only player to play in the rightâÂÂback position. At one point, Sakai played in the rightâÂÂmidfield position once during a 0âÂÂ0 draw against rivals against Paris Saint-Germain on 23 October 2016. However, he suffered a muscle injury and was substituted in the 65th minute, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Clermont Foot on 26 October 2016. After missing one match, Sakai returned from injury, coming on as a secondâÂÂhalf substitute, in a 3âÂÂ1 loss against Montpellier HSC on 4 November 2016. As the 2016âÂÂ17 season progressed, he continued to have discipline issues that saw him suspended on two separate occasions. In his first season at Olympique de Marseille, Sakai made make 40 appearances in all competitions. Reflecting on his performances, his teammate Florian Thauvin and Manager Rudi Garcia both praised his commitment and performance when the club were in a financial problems during the season.
At the start of the 2017âÂÂ18 season, Sakai continued to establish himself in the starting eleven as a rightâÂÂback despite facing competition from with Bouna Sarr over the position. Sakai stated in an interview with France Football that he has settled in France, having suffered difficulties in his previous season. His performance in a 2âÂÂ0 win over Toulouse on 24 September 2017 led him to be named Team of the Week. Following good performance for the side this season so far, Sakai signed a fourâÂÂyear contract with the club, keeping him until 2021, on 29 September 2017. Having played in the rightâÂÂback position in the first half of the season, he switched to playing in the leftâÂÂback position following the departure of Patrice Evra and injury of Jordan Amavi. Sakai spent the next six matches, playing in the leftâÂÂback position before returning to his original position. During a 3âÂÂ2 loss against Lyon on 18 March 2018, he suffered an injury in the firstâÂÂhalf and was substituted as a result, leading him to be sidelined between 7âÂÂ10 days. Sakai made his return from injury on 5 April 2018 in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarterâÂÂfinal, in a 1âÂÂ0 loss to RB Leipzig. On 12 April 2018, he scored his first UEFA Europa League goal on his 28th birthday in the quarterâÂÂfinal return leg, in a 5âÂÂ2 win over RB Leipzig to progress into the next round and a 5âÂÂ3 aggregate victory. Nine days later after the win, however, Sakai sustained an injury during a 5âÂÂ1 win over Lille and was substituted in the first half as a result; which he was sidelined for three weeks. Despite recovering from his injury in midâÂÂMay, he, however, was featured on the substitute bench throughout 90 minutes, as Marseille lost 3âÂÂ0 to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Europa League Final. At the end of the 2017âÂÂ18 season, Sakai finished the season, making 50 appearances and scoring twice in all competitions.
At the start of the 2018âÂÂ19 season, Sakai continued to remain in the first team as Marseille's first choice rightâÂÂback. By September, he set up two goals in the league, including one, which turned out to be a winning goal against RC Strasbourg. Sakai made his 100th appearance for the club, starting a match, in a 3âÂÂ1 loss against Lazio in the UEFA Europa League match on 25 October 2018. Despite suffering two separate injuries by the end of the year, he switched into playing both leftâÂÂback and centreâÂÂback positions. After spending a month with Japan in the AFC Asian Cup, Sakai made his first appearance for the club, starting a match, in a 1âÂÂ0 win against Girondins de Bordeaux on 5 February 2019. Since returning to the first team, he regained his first team place in the rightâÂÂback position. At times, Sakai rotated in playing either the leftâÂÂback and rightâÂÂmidfield positions. He then scored his first goal of the season, scoring from a header, in a 5âÂÂ1 win against Toulouse on 18 May 2019. Despite missing one more match due to suspension, Sakai went on to make 32 appearances and scoring once in all competitions. At the end of the 2018âÂÂ19 season, he was named Olympique de Marseille Player of the Season.
Ahead of the 2019âÂÂ20 season, Sakai was linked with a move to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, but he ended up staying at the club. Sakai started in the first four league matches of the 2019âÂÂ20 season, playing in the rightâÂÂback position. On 29 August 2019, he signed a contract extension with Marseille, keeping him until 2022. However, Sakai suffered a calf injury that saw him out for two matches. He made his return to the starting lineâÂÂup against Dijon FCO on his 100th league appearance, in a 0âÂÂ0 draw on 24 September 2019. Sakai then played three consecutive times in the leftâÂÂback position between 4 October 2019 and 27 October 2019. Following this, he resumed playing in the rightâÂÂback position once again. During a 2âÂÂ0 win against Angers SCO on 3 December 2019, Sakai suffered a shoulder injury and was taken off at halfâÂÂtime. But he was able to make a full recovery and made his return to the starting lineâÂÂup, in a 3âÂÂ1 win against Bordeaux on 8 December 2019. However, Sakai found himself suspended on two occasions, including one when he received a second bookable offence, in a victory against Trélissac on penalties following a 1âÂÂ1 draw in the third round of Coupe de France. Sakai suffered a further setback when he suffered an adductor injury that saw him out for two matches. It wasn't until on 6 March 2020 when he made his return from injury, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute, in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against Amiens. This turned out to be the last match of the season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the season to end abruptly. At the end of the 2019âÂÂ20 season, Sakai made 25 appearances in all competitions. Following this, he underwent a surgery on his ankle.
The start of the 2020âÂÂ21 season saw Sakai retain his first team place, playing in the rightâÂÂback position. During a match against Paris Saint-Germain on 13 September 2020, he was caught in the centre of attention after Spanish radio station Cadena SER claimed to have footage of Neymar racially abusing him. In response to the attention, Sakai denied any racist comments from Neymar on social media. He set up the opening goal of the game for Florian Thauvin, in a 3âÂÂ1 win against Bordeaux on 17 October 2020. Since the start of the 2020âÂÂ21 season, Sakai started in every match until he missed one match, due to suspension. Sakai made his return to the starting lineâÂÂup against FC Nantes on 28 November 2020 and helped the club win 3âÂÂ1. Following his return from suspension, he regained his first team place, playing in the rightâÂÂback position. However in midâÂÂFebruary, Sakai suffered a stomach problem that saw him out for one match. He made his return from an illness, starting a match, in a 3âÂÂ2 win against OGC Nice on 17 February 2021. However, his return was shortâÂÂlived when Sakai received a straight red card at the last minute for a foul on Kader Bamba, as Marseille drew 1âÂÂ1 against FC Nantes in a followâÂÂup. After serving a two match suspension, he returned as a substitute, in a 3âÂÂ1 win against Stade Brestois on 13 March 2021. Despite suffering sciatica problems on three separate occasions later in the 2020âÂÂ21 season, Sakai made two starts, playing either centreâÂÂback position, winning both matches. He made his last appearance for the club, starting in the leftâÂÂback position, in a 3âÂÂ2 win against Angers OSC on 16 May 2021. At the end of the 2020âÂÂ21 season, Sakai made 29 appearances in all competitions.
On 24 May 2021, Sakai announced that he was leaving the club despite having a year contract left. During his time at Marseille, Sakai was a fan favourite among the club's supporters. He considered himself to be "a proud Marseillais".
On 10 June 2021, Sakai made his return to Japan, signing for Urawa Red Diamonds in the J1 League.
He made his debut for the club, starting the match, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Sagan Tosu on 14 August 2021. Sakai helped Urawa Red Diamonds keep five consecutive clean sheets in the league between 21 August 2021 and 25 September 2021. He scored his first goal for the club, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against FC Tokyo on 25 September 2021. His second goal for Urawa Red Diamonds, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Kawasaki Frontale on 3 November 2021. Sakai then started in Emperor's Cup final against Oita Trinita and helped the club win 2âÂÂ1 to win the tournament. At the end of the 2021 season, Sakai made 18 appearances and scoring 2 times in all competitions.
In the Japanese Super Cup against Kawasaki Frontale, Sakai set up a goal for Ataru Esaka, who went on to score twice, in a 2âÂÂ0 win. However during a match against Júbilo Iwata on 19 March 2022, he suffered a foot injury and was substituted in the 53rd minute, resulting in him out for three weeks. On 10 April 2022, Sakai made his return from injury, starting a match, against FC Tokyo and helped Urawa Red Diamonds keep a clean sheet, in a 0âÂÂ0 draw. In a followâÂÂup match, he captained the club for the first time, and set up one of the goals, in a 4âÂÂ1 win against Lion City Sailors. However, Sakai's return was shortâÂÂlived when he suffered a foot injury once again and was out for two months. It wasn't until on 26 June 2022 when Sakai made his return from injury, coming on as a secondâÂÂhalf substitute, in a 1âÂÂ0 win against Vissel Kobe. However during a 3âÂÂ1 win against Kawasaki Frontale on 30 July 2022, he suffered a knee injury and was substituted in the 61st minute. Two weeks later on 10 August 2022, Sakai returned to the starting lineâÂÂup from injury as captain, in a 3âÂÂ0 win against Nagoya Grampus in the second leg of the J.League Cup quarterâÂÂfinals. In the AFC Champions League semiâÂÂfinals against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, he set up the opening goal of the game and started the whole game all the way to penaltyâÂÂshootout in a 2âÂÂ2 draw, as Urawa Red Diamonds won on penalties to help the club reach the final. However, his return was shortâÂÂlived when Sakai suffered a calf injury that saw him out for two matches. On 14 September 2022, he made his return from injury, coming on as a secondâÂÂhalf substitute, in a 1âÂÂ0 loss against Cerezo Osaka. Following this, Sakai started in the next five matches until he missed the last game of the season, due to suspension. At the end of the 2022 season, Sakai made 28 appearances in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2023 season, Sakai was appointed as the new captain of Urawa Red Diamonds. He started in the first seven league matches of the season and led the club on winning their first four consecutive wins in the league for in over six years. Along the way, Sakai scored his first goal of the season, in a 2âÂÂ1 win over Albirex Niigata on 18 March 2023. However during a match against Nagoya Grampus on 9 April 2023, he suffered an injury and was substituted in the 68th minute. But Sakai was able from injury when he led Urawa Red Diamonds secured a dramatic victory in the 2022 AFC Champions League final. Sakai led Urawa Red Diamonds' captain to beat the defending champions Al Hilal 2âÂÂ1 on aggregate, making it their third win in the competition. This victory marked the club's third AFC Champions League title, solidifying their position as a powerhouse in Asian club football. For his performance, he was named AFC Champions League's Most Valuable Player. Following his return from injury, Sakai regained his first team place, as well as, his captaincy. He then scored his second goal of the season, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on 31 May 2023. In the first leg of the J.League semiâÂÂfinal against Yokohama F. Marinos, Sakai received a red card for a second bookable offence, in a 1âÂÂ0 loss. After serving a one match, he returned to the starting lineâÂÂup as captain for the J.League Cup final against Avispa Fukuoka, but was unable to help Urawa Red Diamonds win the final after losing 2âÂÂ1. Shortly after, Sakai suffered a meniscus injury on his right knee that expect him to be out for the rest of the season. But he made his return from injury, coming on as an 81st-minute substitute, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Club León in the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup. Sakai returned to the starting lineâÂÂup as captain in third place playâÂÂoffs, in a 4âÂÂ2 loss against Al Ahly SC. At the end of the 2023 season, he went on to make 37 appearances and scoring 2 times in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2024 season, Urawa Red Diamonds announced that Sakai would retain his captaincy. He scored his first goal of the season, in a 1âÂÂ0 win against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on 10 March 2024. Sakai then set up two goals in two matches between 30 March 2024 and 3 April 2024. However during a 2âÂÂ1 loss against FC Tokyo on 3 April 2024, he suffered a knee injury that saw him out for a month. A month later on 15 May 2024, Sakai made his return from injury, coming on as a late substitute, in a 3âÂÂ0 win against Kyoto Sanga. After announcing his departure, he and teammate Alexander Scholz were given a farewell sendoff following the club's matches against Júbilo Iwata on 30 June 2024.
On 11 June 2024, it was reported by Andy Harper that Sakai had agreed to join Auckland FC ahead of their inaugural A-League Men season. Amid the transfer speculation, it was announced on 24 June 2024 by Urawa Red Diamonds that he had left the club.
On 24 July 2024, Sakai's transfer to Auckland FC was officially confirmed. On 15 October, Sakai was named club captain for the inaugural season, with Jake Brimmer and Tommy Smith appointed as vice-captains.
On 19 October 2024, Sakai made his competitive debut for Auckland FC in the clubâÂÂs first-ever match, a 2âÂÂ0 win over Brisbane Roar. He set up the clubâÂÂs first goal by slicing a cross that was turned into an own goal by Harry Van Der Saag.
On 28 December 2024, Sakai scored his first goal for the club in a 4âÂÂ1 win over the Central Coast Mariners. On 17 February 2025, it was announced that Sakai had extended his contract with Auckland FC until the end of the 2025âÂÂ26 season.
After spending three years between 2008 and 2011, representing Japan's youth system, Sakai was called up by Japan U23 squad for the first time in May 2011. On 1 June 2011, he made his Japan U23 on the same day, in a 3âÂÂ1 win over Australia U23. Three weeks later on 23 June 2011, Sakai scored his first goal for the U23 side, in second leg of the Asian Qualifiers Preliminary Round of the Summer Olympics, in a 2âÂÂ1 loss against Kuwait U23, but Japan U23 won 4âÂÂ3 on aggregate. After making his U23 debut, he became a regular for the U23 throughout the year in the rightâÂÂback position. On 22 February 2012, Sakai scored again and set up one of the goals, in a 4âÂÂ0 win over Malaysia U23.
On 2 July 2012, Sakai was called up for the 2012 Summer Olympics Football tournament in London. He started in a match, playing 74 minutes before being substituted, in a 1âÂÂ0 win over Spain U23. Sakai went on to start three more matches in the tournament, as Japan U23 reached the semiâÂÂfinals and finished fourth place.
Sakai was named as one of Japan's three over-age players for the Olympic on home soil, alongside Maya Yoshida and Wataru Endo. On 22 July 2021, he made his first appearance for the U23 side, starting a match, in a 3âÂÂ0 win against South Africa. Sakai scored his first goal of the tournament, in a 4âÂÂ0 win against France. After serving a one match suspension, he returned to the starting lineâÂÂup, losing both matches in the semiâÂÂfinals and bronze medal match against Spain and Mexico respectively.
In October 2011, Sakai was called up for the first time to the senior squad for a match against Vietnam and Tajikistan, but he appeared as an unused substitute instead. After eight months since being called up to the Japan's national team, Sakai made his debut for the Samurai Blue, coming on as a secondâÂÂhalf substitute, in a 2âÂÂ0 win over Azerbaijan in the Kirin Challenge Cup on 23 May 2012. By April 2012, he began to adjust playing under Manager Alberto Zaccheroni, having understood his tactics and management. For the rest of 2012, Sakai continued to get more playing time for Japan, including making his first start for the Samurai Blue against United Arab Emirates on 6 September 2012.
In 2013, Sakai began to compete with Atsuto Uchida over the rightâÂÂback position, which saw both each winning the position in number of matches. Six months later, he was called up by the Samurai Blue for the 2013 Confederations Cup squad. Sakai played two of the three matches in the group stage, losing both matches, and was eliminated from the tournament. Following the conclusion of the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament, he then started the next six Japan international matches in the absence of Uchida, who suffered a torn tendon and was eventually out for the 2013âÂÂ14 season. During which, Sakai set up the equalising goal for Yoichiro Kakitani, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Belgium on 19 November 2013.
In May 2014, Sakai was named in Japan's preliminary squad for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Eventually, he made it to the final cut for the 23-man squad. However, Sakai made no appearances in the FIFA World Cup, as he spent the rest of the campaign on the substitute bench. After the tournament ended, Sakai made his first appearance for the Samurai Blue in three months on 5 September 2014, in a 2âÂÂ0 loss against Uruguay. However, he was absent from the AFC Asian Cup tournament under a new management of Javier Aguirre.
After Uchida's absent in recent matches of 2015, Sakai began to make an impact to keep his first team place for Japan. For the next two years, he established himself in the rightâÂÂback position for the Samurai Blue and helped Japan qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Sakai also assisted five goals along the way, including two separate matches against Thailand.
In May 2018, Sakai was named in Japan's preliminary squad for the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Eventually, he made it to the final cut of the 23 men squad. Sakai made his World Cup debut against Colombia in Matchday 1 of the Group Stage, starting the whole game, in a 2âÂÂ1 win. He started the next two matches for Samurai Blue, and eventually qualifying for the knockout stage, due to receiving fewer yellow cards than Senegal, becoming the only Asian team to do so in the 2018 World Cup. Sakai started in the match against Belgium in the round of 16 match, as Japan was knocked out of the tournament after losing 3âÂÂ2.
Following the end of the World Cup, Sakai didn't receive another callâÂÂup from Japan until on 4 October 2018. He set up a goal for Ritsu Doan, in a 4âÂÂ3 win against Uruguay on 16 October 2018. In a followâÂÂup match against Venezuela, Sakai scored his first goal for the Samurai Blue, scoring the opening goal of the game, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw. In December 2018, he was one of 23 Japanese players selected for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Sakai started in the rightâÂÂback position and played two matches in the group stage to help Japan qualify for the knockout stage. He helped the Samurai Blue reach all the way to the AFC Asian Cup final and kept three consecutive clean sheets along the way. In the AFC Asian Cup final against Qatar, Sakai started the match in the rightâÂÂback position, as Japan loss 3âÂÂ1, finishing as runnerâÂÂup in the process. Reflecting on the AFC Asian Cup final, he said: "It's a bad memory, I don't want to think about this final. Fortunately, OM was there when I came back and we won. Psychologically, I'm fine. Physically, I'm fine. Last season, we played every three days, I got used to that rhythm, so there's no problem."
Following the end of the AFC Asian Cup, Sakai didn't make another appearance for Japan until on 5 June 2019 against Trinidad and Tobago in the Kirin Challenge Cup, where he started the match, in a 0âÂÂ0 draw. He then set up three goals in five matches for the Samurai Blue between 5 September 2019 and 14 November 2019.
On 1 October 2020, Sakai was called up to the Japan's squad for the first time in eleven months, resulting in him making an appearance against Cameroon, drawing 0âÂÂ0. In a match against Myanmar on 28 May 2021, he set up a goal for Yuya Osako, who scored five goals, in a 10âÂÂ0. Sakai then five starts for the Samurai Blue in the FIFA World Cup qualification between September 2021 and February 2022.
Sakai had to wait until on 15 September 2022 when he was called up to the Japan's squad for the Kirin Cup Soccer. Sakai made his first appearance for the Samurai Blue in eight months, starting a match, in a 2âÂÂ0 win against United States. On 1 November 2022, he was named in the final squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. On 24 November 2022, Sakai started in the rightâÂÂback position against Germany and played 75 minutes before being substituted for Takumi Minamino, who played a role for the equalising goal, in eventual Japan's 2âÂÂ1 win. His next appearance for the Samurai Blue came against Croatia on 5 December 2022, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute, as the match eventually ended 1âÂÂ1 with Japan crashing out after their defeat on penalties. Following the end of the tournament, he has not been called up the Samurai Blue's squad since.
Growing up, Sakai comes from a studious family, as his father is a doctor. One of his older brother is a researcher. Sakai said his idol growing up was Ronaldo and watched his performance in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In 2014, Sakai revealed that he married a non-celebrity woman and described her as supportive of his football career. It was announced in November 2014 that Sakai would become a father and his wife gave birth to a baby girl in January 2015. On 27 September 2019, he announced that he's a father for the second time.
Sakai is a fan of Miso soup and once said: "Take only miso soup because miso soup is a necessity for me." In addition to speaking Japanese, Sakai speaks Portuguese, German (having learned the language twice a week during his time at Hannover 96), French and English. Since moving to Europe, Sakai spoke out the culture in Germany and France.
In May 2018, Sakai published his first book titled "Resetting Power 'Nature and the Mind Becomes Stronger' 46 Concept". In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, he donated 20,000 euros to Phoceo Endowment Fund. Along with Yà «ki à Âtsu, they created a website to help the general public.
Kashiwa Reysol
Marseille
Urawa Red Diamonds
Auckland FC
Japan
Individual