Gaku Shibasaki

Club career

Early career

Born in Noheji, Aomori, Japan, Shibasaki began playing in his first year at elementary school. Once he started junior school at Aomori Yamada High School, he left his hometown and started living in a dormitory, saying: "In a higher level environment, the dream of becoming a professional at that time is now a waypoint into the future. I would like to play an active role in Kashima's match in a year." During his time at high school, he quickly developed with his well-balanced plate accurate kick for offense and defence, as well as, his high judgment and high precision. Two years later on 11 January 2010, Shibasaki helped Aomoriyamada High School reach the final of National High School Championship Final, only to lose 1–0 against Yamanashi Gakuin University. Following the end of the tournament, he was among 36 players named as the best players by the National Sports Committee of the Football Association. Later in August 2010, Shibasaki was among 33 players named as the best players by the National Sports Committee of the Football Association once again. Towards the end of the year, he also became a captain for Aomoriyamada High School and helped the All Japan Youth Championship Final, only to lose 2–0 against Tokyo U-18.

It was announced on 20 January 2010 that Shibasaki will be joining Kashima Antlers, starting from the 2011 season. Upon joining the club, he revealed that he had offers from Nagoya Grampus, but opted to join Kashima Antlers instead.

Kashima Antlers

Ahead of the 2011 season, Shibasaki was given a number twenty shirt at the club. He began to learn to play in the right–back position under the management of Oswaldo de Oliveira and potentially be used as a cover following an injury of Daigo Nishi. Shibasaki made his Kashima Antlers' debut against Avispa Fukuoka on 29 April 2011, coming on as a late substitute, in a 2–1 win. Four days later on 3 May 2011, he made his AFC Champions League debut, coming on as a late substitute, in a 2–0 win against Shanghai Shenhua. A month later on 18 June 2011, Shibasaki made his first start for the side, starting the whole game, in a 2–0 win against Júbilo Iwata. However, he fractured his foot during a 1–0 win against Vissel Kobe on 22 June 2011 and was sidelined for two months. It wasn't until on 18 September 2011 when Shibasaki returned from injury, coming on as a 76th-minute substitute, in a 1–1 draw against Nagoya Grampus. He then scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–1 win against Nagoya Grampus in the semi–finals of the J. League Cup to reach the final. Shortly after, Shibasaki signed an "A contract". In the J.League Cup Final against Urawa Red Diamonds, Shibasaki started the whole game, as he helped the club win 1–0 to win the J.League Cup. Following this, he received a handful of first team football for the remaining matches of the 2011 season. At the end of the 2011 season, Shibasaki went on to make twenty appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Ahead of the 2012 season, Shibasaki was appointed as the club's vice–captain, alongside Daigo Nishi. He started three matches in the first four league matches before suffering a thigh strain during a 1–0 win against Omiya Ardija in the J.League Cup on 4 April 2012. It wasn't until on 21 April 2012 when Shibasaki made his return from injury against Cerezo Osaka, coming on as a 31st-minute substitute, and helped Kashima Antlers make a comeback from 2–0 down to beat them 3–2. He later regained his first team place, playing in the central midfield position following his return from injury. Shibasaki started in the Suruga Bank Championship against Universidad de Chile and played for 62 minutes before being substituted, as Kashima Antlers won 7–6 on penalties after the game was played throughout 120 minutes with a 2–2 draw. Seven days later on 8 August 2012, he scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–0 win against Cerezo Osaka in the second leg of the J.League Cup quarter–finals to send the club through to the next round. Two months later on 6 October 2012, Shibasaki scored his second goal of the season, in a 5–1 win against FC Tokyo. In the J.League Cup Final against Shimizu S-Pulse, Shibasaki started and scored twice in the game, as Kashima Antlers won 2–1 after the game went extra time, to win the J.League Cup for the second time in a row. After the match, he was named the Most Valuable Player in the game. Manager Jorginho praised Shibasaki's performance and believed that he could be playing in Europe in the future. Despite one match due to a suspension, he went on to make forty–five appearances and scoring four times in all competitions. For his performance, Shibasaki was awarded J.League's Best Young Player Award.

Tenerife

Following the 2016 season, Shibasaki was linked a move away from Kashima Antlers, which the club's executives were willing to sell him at a right price. It was announced on 31 January 2017, Shibasaki signed a six-month contract with Spanish Segunda División side CD Tenerife. His departure was confirmed by Kashima Antlers the next day. He was linked with a move to Las Palmas but chose instead to join CD Tenerife.

Having trained with the club shortly, Shibasaki's career at CD Tenerife, however, suffered a setback when he struggled to adapt to an unfamiliar environment, and at one point, wanted to leave the club. But Shibasaki managed to overcome the setback and resumed training with the side, with the club's manager José Luis Martí called on the media and supporters for patient on Shibasaki and give him more time in adapt in Spain. He made his debut for the club on 19 March 2017, replacing Aitor Sanz in a 1–0 home loss against CF Reus Deportiu. Since making his debut for CD Tenerife, Shibasaki said in an interview with Marca that his style of football fit well in Spain and acknowledged that the differences of "the pace of the game" in Spain compared to Japan. Shibasaki then scored his first goal abroad on 28 May 2017 (as well as, his 25th birthday), netting his team's second in a 3–1 away win against AD Alcorcón. He became a regular starter for the side and impressed during the play-offs, scoring the winner in a 1–0 home success over Cádiz CF; his side, however, failed to achieve promotion. Despite this, Shibasaki's performance earned him recognition among CD Tenerife supporters and the Manager, José Luis Martí, himself. At the end of the 2016–17 season, he went on to make sixteen appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.

Getafe

Despite CD Tenerife planned on extending his contract, it was announced on that 17 July 2017 Shibasaki signed a four-year contract with Getafe CF, recently promoted to La Liga instead. Upon joining the club, he said about the transfer move: "I had been wanting to reach the Spanish League for a long time. Since last season I was able to be in Spain and now I have been able to take the opportunity to be here."

Shibasaki made his debut in the category on 20 August 2017, starting in a 0–0 away draw against Athletic Bilbao. He scored his first goal for Getafe against FC Barcelona in a 1–2 loss at home. However, during the match, Shibasaki suffered a foot injury and was substituted in the 54th minute; as a result, he was sidelined for three months, with December was his expectant return date. It wasn't until on 9 December 2017 when he made his return, coming on as a 74th-minute substitute, in a 0–0 draw against SD Eibar. Since returning to the first team, Shibasaki rotated in the starting line–up, mostly coming from the substitute bench. At the end of the 2017–18 season, he went on to make twenty–appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Shibasaki made his first start of the 2018–19 season, starting the whole game, in a 2–0 loss against Real Madrid in the opening game of the season. However, his first team opportunities at Getafe soon became limited and spent most of the season on the substitute bench. After spending 127 days without playing for the side, Shibasaki made his return against Sevilla on 21 April 2019, where he started and played 61 minutes before being substituted, in a 3–0 win. At the end of the 2018–19 season, Shibasaki went on to make nine appearances in all competitions. Reflecting on his second season at Getafe, he said: "I haven't played so much in the league for the last two years. After all, I want to prove my strength in a tournament of this level."

Deportivo La Coruña

On 14 July 2019, Shibasaki signed a four-year contract with Deportivo de La Coruña in the second division, for a reported fee of around €2 million. He was previously linked with a move to UNAM and SD Huesca. Upon joining the club, Shibasaki said his objectives at Deportivo La Coruña is to get more playing time and helped the club get promoted to La Liga. In addition, he was given a number twenty–two shirt.

Shibasaki made his Deportivo La Coruña debut, starting the whole game, in a 3–2 win against Real Oviedo in the opening game of the season. After the match, his performance was praised by the Spanish newspaper. In a follow–up match against SD Huesca, he set up a goal for Christian Santos to score the late consolation, in a 3–1 loss. Since making his debut for the club, Shibasaki found himself in and out of the starting line–up, which saw him placed on the substitute bench. This also combined with his international commitment. He acknowledged his progress to improve in the first team, saying: "I am sure that I can give much more and improve my performance, it is true that we are not giving a good level as a team, but we will surely improve with the coming days." By mid–December, however, he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out for a month. It wasn't until on 16 January 2020 when Shibasaki made his first team return, starting the whole game, in a 2–1 win against Racing de Santander. After the match, he was named Team of the Week by Marca. In a follow–up match against Cádiz CF, Shibasaki played an important role when he set up a goal for Sabin Merino, who scored the only goal of the game, in a 1–0 win for Deportivo La Coruña. Following his return, Shibasaki regained his first team place under the new management of Fernando Vázquez. However, he was sent off for a second bookable offence in a 3–1 defeat against Real Zaragoza on 23 February 2020. After serving a one match suspension, Shibasaki made his first team return on 7 March 2020, starting the whole game, in a 4–0 loss against UD Almería. By the time the season was suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he had made 17 league appearances. Shibasaki remained an integral part of the club once the season resumed behind closed doors. However, in a match against Elche CF on 23 June 2020, he received a straight red card in the 32nd minute for an unprofessional foul on Iván Sánchez, as Deportivo La Coruña won 1–0. After serving a one match suspension, Shibasaki returned to the starting line–up against CD Tenerife on 30 June 2021 and started the whole game, as the club drew 1–1. However, he missed the last game of the season against CF Fuenlabrada, due to injury and Deportivo de La Coruña's relegation was confirmed on 7 August 2020 despite winning 2–1. At the end of the 2019–20 season, Shibasaki went on to make twenty–seven appearances in all competitions.

Leganés

On 4 September 2020, Shibasaki agreed to a three-year contract with CD Leganés, recently relegated to the second division as a result of the relegation clause being activated. He was previously linked with a move to Las Palmas but opted to join Leganés instead.

Shibasaki made his debut for the club, coming on as a second half substitute, in a 1–0 win against UD Las Palmas in the opening game of the season. In a follow–up match against CD Lugo, he set up a goal for Sabin Merino, in a 2–1 loss. Shibasaki played a key role to the game by setting up the only goal of the game, in a 1–0 win against Real Zaragoza on 22 October 2020. Three days later on 25 October 2020, he scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–1 win against Real Oviedo. Since joining CD Leganés, Shibasaki became a first team regular for the club, playing in the midfield position. He then scored his second goal for the club, as well as, setting up the winning goal, in a 2–1 win against AD Alcorcón on 25 April 2021. However, Shibasaki's absence from the first team due to injury saw CD Leganés unsuccessfully promoted back to La Liga after the club lost 5–1 on aggregate in the play-offs. Despite being absence from the first team on four occasions throughout the 2020–21 season, he went on to make thirty–five appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.

Return to Kashima Antlers

Following the expiration of his contract with Leganés, it was announced on 1 September 2023 that Shibasaki had re-joined Kashima Antlers. He joined the first team of the club on 4 September 2023 and was assigned squad number 20. On 21 October 2023, he suffered a left hamstring injury that would keep him out for 8 weeks.

Ahead of the 2024 season, Shibasaki was appointed captain and given the number 10 shirt. He made 26 appearances across all competitions.

International career

Youth career

Throughout 2007, Shibasaki represented the Japan U-15 side and appeared for the U-15 side in a number of matches.

In 2008, Shibasaki was called up to the Japan U-16 squad for both the Montaigu Tournament and Viktor Bannikov Memorial Tournament. Later in September 2008, he was called up to the Japan U-16 squad for the AFC U-16 Championship in Uzbekistan. Shibasaki scored Japan's U16 first goal of the tournament, in a 4–0 win against Malaysia U-16 on 5 October 2008. He made two more appearances in the group stage and helped the national side progress to the quarter–finals of the tournament. Shibasaki appeared in two more matches in the tournament by beating Saudi Arabia U-16 2–0 in the quarter–finals, but lost 2–1 to South Korea U-16 in the semi–finals.

In January 2009, Shibasaki was elected Japan U-17 national team for the first time. He made his Japan U17 debut, starting a match before being substituted in the 55th minute, in a 2–2 draw against Brazil U17 on 25 January 2009. Later in October 2009, Shibasaki was called up to Japan U-17 squad again for the 2009 U-17 World Cup in Nigeria and wore the number 10 shirt for the U-17 side. He played in all three matches, as Japan U-17 were eliminated in the group stage. Six months later, Shibasaki was called up to the Japan U19 squad but never made an appearance for the U-19 side.

Senior career

In February 2012, Shibasaki was called up to the Japan for the first time ahead of a match against Iceland by Manager Alberto Zaccheroni. However, he appeared as an unused substitute in a match, as Japan won 3–1 on 24 February 2012. Shibasaki's hope of making his debut for the national team continued to be delayed until August 2014 when he was called up.

On 9 September 2014, Shibasaki debuted and scored a goal for Japan national team against Venezuela. In a follow–up match against Jamaica, he played a role that led to Nyron Nosworthy scoring an own goal to give Japan a 1–0 win. After the match, Manager Javier Aguirre praised his performance. He later made two more appearances by the end of 2014.

In December 2014, Shibasaki was elected Japan for 2015 Asian Cup in Australia. After appearing in the first two matches of the tournament as an unused substitute, he made his first appearance, coming on as a late substitute, in a 2–0 win against Jordan on 20 January 2015, which saw Japan through to the next round. Shibasaki's next appearance came against United Arab Emirates in the quarter–finals of the Asian Cup and scored an equalising goal; and the match was played throughout 120 minutes; ultimately, they were eliminated after losing in penalty–shootout (despite Shibasaki, himself, successfully converted the shootout. Two months later on 31 March 2015, he scored his second Japan's goal of his career, in a 5–1 win against Uzbekistan. Five months later, Shibasaki was called up to Japan for the EAFF East Asian Cup in China. He was featured three times in the tournament, as they finished last place.

Two years later away from the national team, Shibasaki was called to Japan's squad and made his first appearance on 5 September 2017 against Saudi Arabia and helped the side win 1–0. Six months later on 28 March 2018, Shibasaki played a role when he set up a goal for Tomoaki Makino, in a 2–1 win against Ukraine. Two months later, he was named in Japan's preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Eventually, Shibasaki made it to the final cut of the 23 men squad. Shibasaki made his World Cup debut against Colombia in Matchday 1 of the group stage, where he played 80 minutes in the match, in a 2–1 win. After the match, Manager Akira Nishino praised Shibasaki's performance. He then made two more starts in the World Cup, as Japan progressed through the knockout stage in the tournament. In a match against Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16, Shibasaki set up the opening goal of the game for Genki Haraguchi, as the opposition team later made a comeback in the second half, resulting Japan losing 3–2 and was out of the tournament. Shortly after, Fox Sports named Shibasaki in the Asian's Best Eleven of the tournament.

Personal life

Shibasaki has two older brothers, whom one of them got him into football. Growing up, Shibasaki said in an interview that his ambition is to become a footballer, having no interests in anything but football. He also idolised Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti and Hidetoshi Nakata. When asked in an interview on how does his improve his concentration before the game, Shibasaki said: "First of all, I start by creating my own world. I create my own senses, spaces, and rhythms. At the same time, I become more focused by being aware of my surroundings. I'm doing something over there, I picked up something and I recognize the movement in the space."

He began a relationship with the actress and singer Erina Mano and their relationship wasn't made public until on 25 November 2017. They were married on 16 July 2018.

In September 2015, it was announced that Shibasaki was appointed as a support leader of the 94th National High School Soccer Championship. In addition to speaking Japanese, he has been learning Galician and acknowledged at Deportivo La Coruña's press conference that his Spanish is not good. Shibasaki also spoke out about living in Spain. In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, Shibasaki posted a message on his social media account, urging people to stay at home.

Career statistics

Club

As of 15 January 2025

International

As of match played 17 November 2022

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Shibasaki goal.

Honours

Kashima Antlers

J1 League: 2016, 2025

J.League Cup: 2011, 2012

Emperor's Cup: 2016

Suruga Bank Championship: 2012, 2013

FIFA Club World Cup runner-up: 2016

Japan

AFC Asian Cup runner-up: 2019

Individual

J. League Cup MVP: 2012

J. League Rookie of the Year: 2012

J1 League Monthly MVP: August 2014

FIFA Club World Cup Bronze Ball: 2016

AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 2019