Riku Matsuda (footballer, born 1991)

1.1. Family Background and Early Life

Riku Matsuda was born on July 24, 1991, in Kita Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. He was born to an Indonesian father and a Japanese mother. His twin brother, Riki Matsuda, is also a professional football player. The brothers began playing football together at an early age, starting in kindergarten and joining a local club in first grade. They continued to play on the same team through their university years. While Riku is slightly shorter than Riki, their former university coach, Satoru Mochizuki, characterized Riku as "dependable" and Riki as "cheerful," and Riki noted that Riku has "droopier eyes" as a distinguishing feature.

1.2. High School and University Career

In 2007, Matsuda enrolled in Rissho University Shonan High School in Shimane Prefecture, a decision driven by the school's potential for national tournament appearances. During his time there, he transitioned from playing as a forward to a defender. He participated in the National High School Football Championship for two consecutive years, with his team winning the Shimane prefectural qualifier finals twice against Taisha High School, and Matsuda scoring in both matches. In his third year, he served as team captain and gained recognition as a center-back known for his exceptional athleticism and strong offensive abilities.

After graduating from high school, Matsuda attended Biwako Seikei Sport College in 2010, majoring in competitive sports. From the outset, he was highly regarded by the coaching staff; the general manager considered him "the most outstanding player to ever enter the university," while head coach Mochizuki noted his "already university-level physicality." Matsuda quickly secured a position as a side-back, where he refined his movement, speed, and crossing accuracy, often assisting his brother Riki's goals. He harbored a strong competitive spirit, particularly against his brother. In his fourth year, Matsuda captained the team, demonstrating leadership and skill. His strong performances led to his registration as a J.League Special Designated Player for FC Tokyo in April 2013, allowing him to train and play with the professional club while still in university.

2.1. FC Tokyo

Matsuda officially joined FC Tokyo in 2014 after being registered as a Special Designated Player with the club in 2013. During his special designation period, he made a positive impression on the club's staff not only with his playing ability but also with his training attitude and personality, quickly integrating into the team. Despite receiving offers from multiple clubs, he had already decided to join FC Tokyo. He chose the jersey number "50" (originally hoping for "55," the number worn by his role model Yuto Nagatomo at Inter Milan, but J.League rules at the time limited numbers to 50) and focused on practicing on both the left and right sides. Although Yuhei Tokunaga was the established right-back, Matsuda's speed and crossing accuracy were highly valued, earning him opportunities as an attacking option early in the season.

His J.League debut came on April 29, 2014, in a J1 match against Nagoya Grampus, where he also had his first professional encounter with his twin brother, Riki. On October 26, 2014, in a J1 match against Gamba Osaka, Matsuda scored his first J.League goal with a header from Kosuke Ota's cross while playing as a wing-back. He decided to leave FC Tokyo after the 2015 season.

2.2. Cerezo Osaka

In January 2016, after a competitive transfer battle, Matsuda made a full transfer to Cerezo Osaka, the club he had supported since childhood and his hometown team. In his first season with Cerezo Osaka, he was the only player to appear in all league matches and recorded the second-highest number of crosses in the league.

In 2017, he changed his jersey number to "2" and expressed his determination to prove his capabilities in J1. Despite some early substitutions and occasional periods as a reserve in intra-team scrimmages, his strong competitive spirit allowed him to overcome these challenges. He appeared in 31 league matches, and his dynamic partnership with Kota Mizunuma on the right flank became a significant offensive weapon for the team.

In 2018, Matsuda managed to avoid a suspension despite accumulating three yellow cards by the second match of the season, a testament to his disciplined play. In the final match against Yokohama F. Marinos, he was instrumental in two goals, contributing significantly to the team's comeback victory. The outgoing coach, Yoon Jong-hwan, praised Matsuda, noting that his "kicking has improved" and that he had "grown as a player over the past two years."

Under new coach Miguel Angel Lotina in 2019, Matsuda's defensive abilities with the ball and his build-up play significantly improved, similar to other players on the team. In the opening match of the season, he even played as a lone forward after coming on as a substitute. In 2020, he occasionally played as a right-sided player in a three-back formation due to tactical adjustments. In Lotina's final match as coach, on December 19, 2020, Matsuda scored his first goal of the season with a middle-range shot against Kashima Antlers, helping the team secure a spot in the AFC Champions League.

In 2021, Matsuda's twin brother Riki joined Cerezo Osaka, a moment Riku described as a dream come true to play professionally with his brother on the same team. In the first match under new coach Akio Kogiku, a derby against Gamba Osaka, Matsuda scored a middle-range shot that contributed to a 1-0 victory. In the J.League Cup final, he delivered a precise low-trajectory pass to Yoshito Okubo in the penalty area, though Okubo's shot did not find the net. As of 2022, Matsuda holds the record for the most appearances as the number 2 player for Cerezo Osaka, with 242 matches. In 2023, his playing time decreased significantly due to the arrival of Jordy Croux and the strong performance of Seiya Maikuma at right-back.

2.3. Ventforet Kofu (loan)

On August 16, 2023, Matsuda joined Ventforet Kofu of the J2 League on a loan spell until the end of the 2023 season. During his time at Kofu, he contributed to the team's efforts in the J2 League.

2.4. Gamba Osaka

On January 11, 2024, Matsuda made a permanent move to Gamba Osaka for the 2024 season. He cited coach Daniel Poyatos's tactical style as aligning with his own preferred way of playing football. Despite receiving various messages regarding the transfer, often termed a "forbidden move" due to the rivalry between Cerezo Osaka and Gamba Osaka, Matsuda stated that he did not mind them. He explained that the offer from Gamba Osaka happened to align with his desired playing style, expressing enduring gratitude to Cerezo Osaka for his development but emphasizing his current focus on bringing victories and titles to Gamba Osaka.

2.5. Vissel Kobe

On February 5, 2025, Matsuda made a permanent transfer to Vissel Kobe, the reigning J1 League champions, for the 2025 season. His move to Vissel Kobe marks another chapter in his career, where he is expected to contribute to the club's continued success.

3.1. On-field Characteristics

Primarily a right-back, Matsuda has also demonstrated capability as a center-back and has even been deployed as a forward. He possesses excellent physical attributes, including notable speed and high stamina, allowing him to cover significant ground. He stands at 67 in ^{(171 cm)} and weighs 152 lb ^{(69 kg)}. His crossing accuracy, particularly early crosses, is a key offensive weapon, contributing to his team's attacking play.

Under coach Miguel Angel Lotina at Cerezo Osaka, Matsuda significantly improved his defensive play, especially in situations where his team did not have possession, and enhanced his build-up play from the back. This experience fundamentally changed his perspective on football, emphasizing the importance of not just attacking from the flanks but also participating in the game's creation from a deeper position. He learned the necessity of contributing to link-up play from behind and recognized the crucial role of a full-back in shaping the game, which added a new dimension of enjoyment to football for him.

3.2. Mentality and Work Ethic

Matsuda is characterized by his strong competitive spirit and resilience, often described as having a "fighting spirit" that enables him to overcome setbacks. Despite his intense on-field demeanor, he is noted for playing fairly, having never received a red card or been sent off in his professional career. His ability to adapt to different coaching philosophies and systems, from Yoon Jong-hwan's direct approach to Miguel Angel Lotina's possession-based style and Daniel Poyatos's tactics, highlights his professionalism and dedication to continuous improvement. This adaptability has made him a valuable asset to every team he has played for, consistently earning the trust and appreciation of his coaches.

4.1. Family and Relationships

Riku Matsuda is the twin brother of Riki Matsuda, who is also a professional footballer and currently plays as a forward for Kataller Toyama in the J3 League.

On November 22, 2016, Riku Matsuda married model Nanaka. The couple has two children: a daughter born on June 22, 2019, and a son born in 2024.

4.2. Indonesian Heritage

Matsuda's mixed heritage, with an Indonesian father and a Japanese mother, often garners significant public interest. He frequently receives supportive comments on social media, particularly from Indonesian fans, with many expressing a desire for him to play for the Indonesia national football team. Matsuda has acknowledged this interest, explaining that while he does not hold Indonesian citizenship and would need to reside in Indonesia for several years to be eligible, he has expressed a potential interest in playing in Indonesia in the future.

6.1. Club

• Denso Cup Challenge Soccer: 2012 (with Kansai University selection)
• J.League Cup: 2017 (with Cerezo Osaka)
• Emperor's Cup: 2017 (with Cerezo Osaka)
• Japanese Super Cup: 2018 (with Cerezo Osaka)

6.2. Individual

• Kansai Student Soccer League First Division Excellent Player Award: 2012, 2013
• Denso Cup Challenge Soccer Best Eleven: 2012

7.1. Notable Incidents and Comparisons

Matsuda has often been compared to Yuto Nagatomo, a prominent Japanese international full-back, reflecting the high regard for his abilities in that position. The comedian Wacky, a known football fan, has praised Matsuda, noting his physical strength, low injury rate, consistent and stable play, and high accuracy in crosses, especially early ones. Wacky believes Matsuda is a player who will always be valued by coaches, regardless of changes, and has advocated for his inclusion in the national team despite the strong competition from other talented right-backs like Hiroki Sakai and Miki Yamane.

7.2. Self-Perception and External Views

Matsuda admits that his appearance can be perceived as "intimidating" and that his shy nature can make him seem unapproachable. However, this contrasts with how he is viewed by those who work closely with him. For instance, the former 강화부장_{Ganghwabujang (Strengthening Department Manager)}^Korean at FC Tokyo remarked that Matsuda's "humanity and attitude towards practice were excellent" during his trial period, noting that "he became familiar with all the staff and front office members every time he came, and was already loved as if he had joined the club." This suggests a warm and engaging personality beneath his reserved exterior.

7.3. Philosophy and Career Decisions

Matsuda adopts a pragmatic philosophy toward his career, stating that he does not set distant goals. He believes that "you never know what will happen in the future year by year," and emphasizes that "you must approach each and every match, each and every year, with resolve, or there will be no future." This approach underscores his focus on continuous improvement and immediate challenges.

Regarding his transfer to Gamba Osaka, a rival of his former club Cerezo Osaka, Matsuda addressed the notion of it being a "forbidden transfer." He clarified that for him, "the offer I received happened to be from Gamba, and it was Gamba whose style matched what I preferred." He expressed enduring gratitude to Cerezo Osaka, stating that the fact they nurtured him for eight years will "never change." However, he emphasized his current commitment to Gamba Osaka, aiming to bring victories and titles to the team and celebrate with his teammates, staff, and supporters.