Takefusa Kubo has been instrumental in Japan's push for an Olympic medal, and now the promising playmaker is ready to give Spanish football a reminder of why he already has had spells at the country's biggest clubs.
The 20-year-old will lead the tournament hosts into their semifinal meeting with Spain on Tuesday, aiming to steer the Japanese to their first medal in the men's tournament since securing a bronze at the 1968 Games in Mexico City.
But Real Madrid's Kubo will have other concerns on his mind in addition to ending a 53-year medal drought as he goes up against the nation that has shaped his football career.