Riki Matsuda

1.1. Birth and Family

Riki Matsuda was born on July 24, 1991, in Osaka, Japan. His father is Indonesian and his mother is Japanese. He has a twin brother named Riku Matsuda, who is also a professional footballer and currently plays as a defender for Vissel Kobe in the J1 League.

1.2. Education and Youth Career

Matsuda began playing football in elementary school during his first grade. He honed his skills through various youth clubs, including Osaka Central FC Junior and Osaka Central FC Junior Youth. For his high school education, he attended Rissho University Shonan High School. Following high school, Matsuda enrolled in Biwako Seikei Sport College, where he continued his football development. During his university career, he became a key player for the Biwako Seikei Sport College football team, often leading the team alongside his twin brother, Riku. In his third year at the university, Matsuda achieved a significant milestone by scoring 25 goals in the Kansai Student Soccer League Division 1, making him the top scorer for that season. His collegiate achievements include being named the Kansai Student Soccer League Division 1 Rookie of the Year in 2010, receiving the Outstanding Player Award in both 2012 and 2013, and being selected for the Denso Cup Challenge Soccer Best XI in 2012. He was also part of the Kansai Student Selection team in both 2012 and 2013, participating in the Denso Cup Soccer tournament in 2012.

2.1. Oita Trinita

Matsuda was registered as a special designated player for Oita Trinita in May 2013. He made his official debut for the club on May 22, 2013, in a J. League Cup group stage match against Sagan Tosu at Best Amenity Stadium in Tosu, Japan. He played the entire match, which Oita Trinita lost 2-3. His first league goal came on July 6, 2013, against Yokohama F. Marinos, scoring in the 31st minute. Despite his practical accompaniment period with the club lasting only until the end of August due to his university league commitments, Matsuda played 9 league matches and scored 4 goals, a notable achievement that set the record for the most goals by a special designated player in the J1 League.

2.2. Nagoya Grampus

On November 1, 2013, it was announced that Matsuda would join Nagoya Grampus for the 2014 season, following competition for his signing from multiple clubs including Oita, Cerezo Osaka, and Albirex Niigata. He made his league debut for Nagoya Grampus on March 1, 2014, against Shimizu S-Pulse. His first league goal for the club was scored on March 23, 2014, in the 87th minute against Vissel Kobe. It was noted that he had previously scored two goals against Nagoya Grampus as a special designated player for Oita the year before. Matsuda returned to Nagoya Grampus on January 12, 2016, after a loan spell. In February 2016, he signed a management contract with Yoshimoto Kogyo.

2.3. JEF United Chiba (Loan)

In August 2015, Matsuda was loaned to JEF United Chiba. He wore the jersey number 38, which he had also worn during his time as a special designated player for Oita Trinita. He made his league debut for JEF United Chiba on August 8, 2015, against Cerezo Osaka. His first league goal for the club came on August 15, 2015, in the 32nd minute against V-Varen Nagasaki. Matsuda's arrival significantly boosted Chiba's offense, as he scored 4 goals in 8 matches, helping to mitigate the team's scoring struggles during the summer. He ultimately played a total of 15 matches during his loan period.

2.4. Avispa Fukuoka

Matsuda transferred to Avispa Fukuoka in the J2 League on December 20, 2016. He made his league debut for Avispa Fukuoka on February 26, 2017, against Oita Trinita. He scored his first league goals for the club, a brace, on May 21, 2017, against Zweigen Kanazawa, netting in the 73rd and 87th minutes. During his tenure, Matsuda became a key player for Avispa Fukuoka. In the 2019 season, he recorded a career-high of 8 goals, making him the team's top scorer. His contract expiration with Avispa Fukuoka was announced on November 26, 2019. He also played in two J1 promotion playoff matches in 2017.

2.5. Ventforet Kofu

On January 6, 2020, Matsuda transferred to Ventforet Kofu. His league debut for the club was on February 23, 2020, against FC Machida Zelvia. He scored his first league goal for Ventforet Kofu on July 29, 2020, in the 28th minute against Mito HollyHock.

2.6. Cerezo Osaka

Matsuda transferred to Cerezo Osaka on January 5, 2021. This move saw him play alongside his twin brother, Riku Matsuda, who wore number 2, while Riki wore number 22. He made his league debut for Cerezo Osaka on March 3, 2021, against Kawasaki Frontale. His first league goal for the club came on September 8, 2021, in the 51st minute against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. On January 6, 2022, it was announced that his contract with Cerezo Osaka would not be renewed for the upcoming 2022 season.

2.7. Ehime FC

On January 20, 2022, Riki Matsuda joined Ehime FC, a club that had been relegated to the J3 League. He made his league debut for Ehime FC on March 13, 2022, against Kataller Toyama. His first league goal for the club was scored on June 18, 2022, in the 27th minute against Matsumoto Yamaga FC. In 2023, Matsuda's jersey number was changed to 10, and he became an active and essential player for the team. By the end of the 25th round of the season, he had scored double-digit goals for the first time in his career. On November 11, 2023, Matsuda scored a crucial goal in the 49th minute against rivals FC Imabari in the "Iyo Derby" (伊予決戦_{Iyo Kessen}^Japanese), securing a narrow 1-0 victory for Ehime FC. This decisive goal led Ehime FC to clinch the 2023 J3 League championship and earned them promotion to the J2 League for the 2024 season. He finished the 2023 season with a career-high 13 goals. For his exceptional performance, Matsuda received the 2023 J3 League Player of the Year award and was also named to the 2023 J3 League Best XI. On November 13, 2024, Ehime FC announced his contract expiration.

2.8. Kataller Toyama

On December 25, 2024, it was announced that Matsuda would transfer to Kataller Toyama, a club promoted to the J2 League, for the 2025 season. He currently plays for Kataller Toyama.

4.1. Club Statistics

Notes:

• In 2013, Riki Matsuda was a special designated player.
• In 2017, he made 2 appearances in the J1 promotion playoffs, scoring 0 goals.
• In 2014, he made 1 appearance in the Toyota Premier Cup, scoring 0 goals.

5.1. Club Honours

• Kansai Student Selection
  • Denso Cup Soccer: 2012
• Ehime FC
  • J3 League: 2023

5.2. Individual Honours

• Kansai Student Soccer League Division 1 Rookie of the Year: 2010
• Kansai Student Soccer League Division 1 Outstanding Player Award: 2012, 2013
• Top scorer in the Kansai Student Soccer League Division 1: 2012
• Denso Cup Challenge Soccer Best XI: 2012
• J3 League Best XI: 2023
• J3 League MVP Award: 2023