Masaya Matsumoto

1.1. Birth and Upbringing

Masaya Matsumoto was born on January 25, 1995, in Nakatsu City, Ōita Prefecture, Japan. He began his football journey at local clubs, playing for Wada SC and FC Nakatsu 1981 before joining a national development program.
q=Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture|position=right

1.2. JFA Academy Fukushima

In 2007, Matsumoto joined JFA Academy Fukushima as a second-generation student, a player development institution led by the Japan Football Association. During his time at the academy, he experienced the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. He was among those who sought refuge in a nearby elementary school before evacuating to Tokyo on March 14. Due to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident and the subsequent use of J-Village (the academy's training ground) as a response base, Matsumoto temporarily trained with a senior amateur team in his native Ōita Prefecture before the academy relocated its operations to Gotemba, Shizuoka. In his final year at JFA Academy Fukushima in 2012, he played a crucial role in the team's success, helping them win the Prince League Tohoku 1st Division and subsequently secure promotion to the Prince Takamado Cup JFA U-18 Football Premier League by defeating Hiroshima Minami High School in the promotion playoff.
q=Fukushima Prefecture|position=left

1.3. Youth National Teams

Matsumoto's talent was recognized early, leading to his involvement with various Japanese national youth teams. He played for the Japan U-16 squad. He later represented the Japan U-17 team and the Japan U-19 team. He was also a preliminary registered candidate for the Japan U-22 squad for the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers in 2015. Additionally, he was selected to represent Fukushima Prefecture in the National Sports Festival.

2.1. Oita Trinita

Matsumoto joined Oita Trinita in 2013, beginning his professional career in the J1 League. He made his professional debut on March 20, 2013, starting and playing 64 minutes in a J. League Cup match against Albirex Niigata, which ended in a 1-1 draw. His J1 League debut occurred on April 13, 2013, as a substitute against Kashima Antlers. On November 10, 2013, he scored his first J. League goal against Albirex Niigata, temporarily equalizing the score with a mid-range shot. He sustained an injury in September 2013 but returned to play.

In 2014, following Oita's relegation, Matsumoto played in the J2 League and changed his jersey number to 14. He became a regular starter after the sixth match of the season against Kyoto Sanga FC, remaining a key player until his call-up to the U-19 Japan national team in September. He made 29 official appearances that year. In 2015, despite Matsumoto establishing himself as a starter from the ninth match against V-Varen Nagasaki, Oita finished 21st in the league and was relegated to the J3 League after losing the J2-J3 Play-off to FC Machida Zelvia.

For the 2016 season, Matsumoto remained with Oita Trinita and was given the number 10 jersey, becoming the first Japanese player in the club's history to wear this number. He also served as a vice-captain alongside Daisuke Takamatsu and Takahiro Yamaguchi. He started in all but the final three matches of the league season, making 28 appearances. His contributions were vital to Oita's J3 League championship and their immediate promotion back to the J2 League. At the J.League Awards in December 2016, he was selected for the J3 League MY Awards Best Eleven.

2.2. Júbilo Iwata

In 2017, Masaya Matsumoto made a permanent transfer to Júbilo Iwata. During the pre-season camp, he quickly earned praise from coach Hiroshi Nanami. In his first season with Iwata, he made 27 official appearances, though all his league appearances were as a substitute. In contrast, he started in seven of his nine appearances in the J. League Cup and Emperor's Cup.

In the 2018 season, Matsumoto made his first league start for Júbilo Iwata on March 18 against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. On August 19, he scored his first league goal for the club against Kashiwa Reysol, contributing to a victory. In the 2021 season, Matsumoto became a regular starter and played a significant role in Júbilo Iwata's J2 League championship and subsequent promotion back to the J1 League. His contract with Júbilo Iwata was initially set to continue until 2025.

2.3. Fagiano Okayama

On February 23, 2025, it was announced that Masaya Matsumoto would transfer to Fagiano Okayama. This move came after he had already played two league matches for Júbilo Iwata in the 2025 season.
q=Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture|position=right

3.1. Japan U-17

Matsumoto was a key player for the Japan U-17 squad that competed in the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He played in all five of Japan's matches during the tournament. The team advanced to the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Brazil U-17.

3.2. Japan U-20

He also featured for the Japan U-20 squad in the 2012 AFC U-19 Championship. Matsumoto started and played in all four of Japan's matches in the competition. However, Japan was defeated 2-1 by Iraq U-20 in the quarter-finals, which meant they missed out on qualification for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

5.1. Club Statistics

Updated as of February 16, 2025.

Matsumoto's career also includes appearances in other official competitions:

• 2015: J2-J3 Play-off - 2 appearances, 0 goals
• 2018: J1 Promotion Play-off - 1 appearance, 0 goals

His J1 League debut was on April 13, 2013, in a match against Kashima Antlers at Ōita Bank Dome. He scored his first J1 goal on November 10, 2013, against Albirex Niigata at the same venue. His J2 League debut was on March 2, 2014, against Mito HollyHock at K's denki Stadium Mito, and his first J2 goal was on May 31, 2014, against Montedio Yamagata at Ōita Bank Dome.

6.1. Club

• JFA Academy Fukushima**
  • Prince League Tohoku 2nd Division: 2011
  • Prince League Tohoku 1st Division: 2012
• Oita Trinita**
  • J3 League: 2016
• Júbilo Iwata**
  • J2 League: 2021

6.2. Individual

• J3 League MY Awards Best Eleven: 2016