Gaku Shibasaki

About Gaku Shibasaki

Gaku Shibasaki is a Japanese professional footballer renowned for his skill and versatility in the midfield position. He began his journey in the sport at Aomori Yamada High School, where he honed his talents during his youth career. In 2011, he made his senior debut for Kashima Antlers, showcasing his exceptional abilities and scoring 17 goals in 172 appearances for the club. His outstanding performances caught the attention of clubs abroad, leading him to join Tenerife in 2017, where he made 16 appearances and netted 2 goals. Subsequently, he made a move to Getafe, where he made 29 appearances and scored 1 goal during his tenure from 2017 to 2019. In 2019, he joined Deportivo La Coruña, making 26 appearances for the club. Currently, he plays for Leganés, a team he has represented in 98 games and scored 5 goals since 2020. Internationally, he has been an integral part of the Japanese national team since 2014, amassing an impressive 60 appearances and netting 3 goals. He also had a successful stint with the Japan U17 team, earning 11 appearances and scoring 2 goals from 2007 to 2009. Shibasaki's dedication, skill, and contribution to the sport have made him a highly regarded figure in Japanese football, with fans and teammates alike recognizing his talent and impact on the field.

Gaku Shibasaki Early Life & Family

Gaku Shibasaki, a Japanese professional footballer, was born on May 28, 1992, in Noheji, Aomori, Japan. He is currently 31 years old as of 2023 and his zodiac sign is Gemini. He holds Japanese nationality and belongs to the Japanese-Asian ethnicity. Although he has not revealed the names of his parents, it is known that he has two older brothers who played a role in introducing him to football. From a young age, Shibasaki had a single-minded ambition to become a footballer and looked up to players like Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti, and Hidetoshi Nakata. When asked about his pre-game concentration, Shibasaki mentioned creating his own mental space, becoming aware of his surroundings, and focusing on his movements and rhythm.

Shibasaki's football journey began in his first year of elementary school, and when he entered Aomoriyamada High School, he moved away from his hometown to live in a dormitory, motivated by the desire to become a professional player. During his time in high school, Shibasaki showcased his well-balanced skills, including accurate offensive and defensive kicks, along with excellent judgment and precision. In January 2010, he played a crucial role in helping Aomoriyamada High School reach the final of the National High School Championship, although they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Yamanashi Gakuin University. Following the tournament, Shibasaki's outstanding performance earned him recognition as one of the 36 best players selected by the National Sports Committee of the Football Association. In August 2010, he received this honor once again. Towards the end of the year, Shibasaki served as the captain of Aomoriyamada High School and led the team to the All Japan Youth Championship Final, where they, unfortunately, lost 2-0 to Tokyo U-18.

Gaku Shibasaki Football Career

Kashima Antlers

• On January 20, 2010, it was announced that Gaku Shibasaki would be joining Kashima Antlers for the 2011 season, despite having offers from Nagoya Grampus. 
• He was given the number twenty shirt and started learning to play as a right-back under the management of Oswaldo de Oliveira. 
• He made his debut for Kashima Antlers on April 29, 2011, as a substitute in a 2-1 win against Avispa Fukuoka. 
• He also made his AFC Champions League debut on May 3, 2011, as a substitute in a 2-0 win against Shanghai Shenhua. 
• After his first start for the team on June 18, 2011, he, unfortunately, fractured his foot during a match on June 22, 2011, and was out for two months. 
• Shibasaki returned from injury on September 18, 2011, and scored his first goal for the club in a 2-1 win against Nagoya Grampus in the J.League Cup semi-finals. 
• He helped Kashima Antlers win the J.League Cup by starting in the final against Urawa Red Diamonds, which they won 1-0. 
• During the 2011 season, he made twenty appearances and scored one goal in all competitions. 
• In the following season, he was appointed as the club's vice-captain and started three matches before suffering a thigh strain. 
• After his return from injury, he regained his place in the first team and scored goals in important matches, including two in the J.League Cup Final against Shimizu S-Pulse, which Kashima Antlers won 2-1 after extra time. 
• Shibasaki received praise for his performances and was named the Most Valuable Player in the J.League Cup Final. 
• He went on to make forty-five appearances and score four goals in all competitions, earning him the J.League's Best Young Player Award.
• In the 2013 season, he established himself as a key player in the Kashima Antlers' first team, taking on the role of a central midfielder. 
• He showcased his goal-scoring abilities by netting his first goal of the season in a 3-2 triumph against Oita Trinita on April 13, 2013, and followed it up with another goal two weeks later in a 3-2 victory over Albirex Niigata. 
• His remarkable strike against Albirex Niigata earned him the prestigious Goal of the Month award for April.
• Despite being linked to a potential move to Bundesliga side 1. FC Nürnberg, Shibasaki played a pivotal role in Kashima Antlers' impressive 3-2 triumph against São Paulo in the 2013 Suruga Bank Championship.
• Despite finishing fifth in the league and missing out on qualification for the AFC Champions League, Shibasaki exhibited his dedication by making forty-five appearances and scoring two goals in all competitions, featuring in every single match throughout the entirety of the 2013 season.
• Moving on to the 2014 season, he retained his position as a regular in Kashima Antlers' central midfield.
• He kickstarted the season with a goal on March 29, 2014, and contributed an assist in a 3-1 victory against Yokohama F. Marinos. 
• On April 2, 2014, he led the team as captain for the first time in his career, guiding Kashima Antlers to a 3-1 win over Sagan Tosu in the J.League Cup.
• He continued to serve as captain in subsequent matches and added another goal to his tally on May 10, 2014, despite suffering a 4-1 defeat against Kawasaki Frontale. 
• Shibasaki's exceptional performances earned him the esteemed J.League Goal of the Week award for his exceptional strike against Ventforet Kofu on August 16, 2014.
• Furthermore, he was honored as the J.League Player of the Month for August. 
• By the conclusion of the 2014 season, Shibasaki had made forty-one appearances and scored six goals in all competitions, securing a spot in the J.League Best XI.
• Ahead of the 2015 season, he attracted interest from Serie A giants AC Milan, although he ultimately decided to remain with Kashima Antlers. 
• Due to Mitsuo Ogasawara's absence, he was entrusted with the captain's armband at the beginning of the season. 
• In the opening match, he captained the team and provided an assist in a 3-1 defeat against Shimizu S-Pulse.
• On March 18, 2015, he notched his first goal of the season in a narrow 4-3 loss to Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao. Shibasaki continued to play a significant role for his team, contributing goals and assists in a 3-1 victory against Sagan Tosu on April 8, 2015. 
• Despite a foot injury that sidelined him for a month, he made a triumphant return and scored crucial goals for his team, including the opening strike in a 2-1 win over FC Tokyo on July 25, 2015. 
• Shibasaki further displayed his prowess by bagging a brace in a commanding 3-0 triumph against Sagan Tosu on July 29, 2015. 
• He reclaimed his place in the first team and played an instrumental role for the remainder of the 2015 season. 
• In the J.League Cup final against Gamba Osaka, he started the match and provided an assist in a convincing 3-0 victory, sealing the tournament triumph for Kashima Antlers.
• In the 2016 season, he made a significant change by switching his shirt number from twenty to ten. He regained his place in the first team as a central midfielder and made an impact by scoring his first goal of the season on April 10, 2016, in a 4-1 victory against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, also providing an assist for Caio. 
• A month later, on May 29, 2016, he set up a goal and scored another in a 4-0 win against Ventforet Kofu. 
• He continued to contribute with goals throughout September, finding the net against Kataller Toyama and Albirex Niigata. However, he suffered a foot injury that sidelined him for a month. 
• Despite his absence, Kashima Antlers finished third in the J.League second stage, and Shibasaki made his return in the final against Urawa Red Diamonds, playing in both legs as Kashima Antlers became champions through away goals. 
• In the 2016 Club World Cup, he played a crucial role, starting all three matches and helping his team reach the final. 
• He gained recognition by scoring twice against Real Madrid in the final, despite their eventual 4-2 loss in extra time, and was awarded the Adidas Bronze Ball for his outstanding performance. 
• His contributions continued as he assisted in a victory against Yokohama F. Marinos, leading Kashima Antlers to the Emperor's Cup Final, where they defeated Kawasaki Frontale 2-1 to secure the title. By the end of the 2016 season, Shibasaki had made forty-six appearances and scored six goals in all competitions.

Tenerife

Following the 2016 season, Shibasaki's potential departure from Kashima Antlers became a possibility, with the club's executives open to selling him for the right offer. On January 31, 2017, it was officially announced that Shibasaki had signed a six-month contract with Spanish Segunda División team CD Tenerife, choosing them over a potential move to Las Palmas. 

However, his transition to the new environment proved challenging, and there were moments when he contemplated leaving the club.

He made his debut on March 19, 2017, and gradually adapted to the Spanish style of play, acknowledging the differences in the pace of the game. 

He scored his first goal for CD Tenerife on May 28, 2017, coinciding with his 25th birthday, and became a regular starter for the team. 

Despite his contributions, the club fell short of promotion in the playoffs. 

Nonetheless, Shibasaki's performances earned him recognition from both the supporters and manager José Luis Martí. 

By the end of the 2016-17 season, he had made sixteen appearances and scored two goals in all competitions.

Getafe

• On July 17, 2017, Shibasaki opted to sign a four-year contract with Getafe CF in La Liga, despite CD Tenerife's plans to extend his contract. 
• He expressed his desire to play in the Spanish league and made his debut for Getafe on August 20, 2017, in a goalless draw against Athletic Bilbao.
• He scored his first goal for Getafe against FC Barcelona but suffered a foot injury during the match, sidelining him for three months. 
• He returned to action in December and became a rotational player in the squad. In the 2017-18 season, he made 20 appearances and scored one goal in all competitions. 
• The following season, Shibasaki's playing time at Getafe was limited, and he made a comeback after a 127-day absence in April 2019. 
• He made nine appearances that season and expressed his determination to prove himself at that level.

Deportivo La Coruña

• On July 14, 2019, Shibasaki signed a four-year contract with Deportivo de La Coruña in the second division. 
• He expressed his objectives of gaining more playing time and helping the club secure promotion to La Liga. 
• He made his debut in a 3-2 victory against Real Oviedo and received praise for his performance. 
• He had intermittent starts and substitute appearances while juggling international commitments. Despite a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a month, Shibasaki made a strong comeback and played a crucial role in matches, providing assists and contributing to victories. 
• He regained his place in the starting lineup under new management but received a red card in a match against Elche CF.
• Despite the team's relegation, he remained an integral part of the club, making 27 appearances in all competitions during the 2019-20 season.

Leganés

• On September 4, 2020, Shibasaki signed a three-year contract with CD Leganés, who had recently been relegated to the second division. He chose Leganés over Las Palmas as his next club. 
• He made his debut as a substitute in a 1-0 victory against UD Las Palmas and provided an assist in a subsequent match against CD Lugo. 
• He played a crucial role by setting up a goal in a 1-0 win against Real Zaragoza and scored his first goal for the club in a 2-1 victory over Real Oviedo. 
• He became a regular starter in the midfield for CD Leganés and contributed with goals and assists, including a decisive goal in a 2-1 win against AD Alcorcón. 
• Although his absence due to injury coincided with CD Leganés' unsuccessful promotion campaign, he made 35 appearances and scored two goals in all competitions during the 2020-21 season.

Gaku Shibasaki International Career

• In 2007, Gaku Shibasaki represented the Japan U-15 team and featured in several matches for the squad. 
• The following year, he was called up to the Japan U-16 team for tournaments such as the Montaigu Tournament and Viktor Bannikov Memorial Tournament. 
• In September 2008, he participated in the AFC U-16 Championship, scoring his first goal in a 4-0 win against Malaysia U-16. 
• He continued to contribute as Japan progressed to the quarter-finals but ultimately fell short in the semi-finals against South Korea U-16. 
• In January 2009, he made his debut for the Japan U-17 team, and later in October 2009, he participated in the U-17 World Cup. Despite his involvement, Japan U-17 exited the tournament in the group stage.
• He was subsequently called up to the Japan U-19 squad but did not make an appearance for the team.
• In February 2012, he received his first call-up to the Japan national team for a match against Iceland but remained an unused substitute. 
• He had to wait until August 2014 to make his debut for Japan, scoring a goal in a match against Venezuela. 
• He continued to make appearances for the national team throughout 2014 and was subsequently selected for the 2015 Asian Cup. 
• He made his tournament debut as a substitute in a win against Jordan and later scored an equalizing goal against the United Arab Emirates in the quarter-finals, although Japan was eventually eliminated in a penalty shootout. 
• He scored his second international goal in a match against Uzbekistan in March 2015. 
• After a two-year absence from the national team, he returned and helped Japan secure a victory against Saudi Arabia in September 2017. 
• He played a crucial role in setting up a goal against Ukraine in March 2018 and was later included in Japan's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he made three appearances, including a notable assist against Belgium in the Round of 16. 
• He received recognition for his performances in the tournament and was named in the Asian's Best Eleven by Fox Sports.
• In December 2018, he was selected as one of the 23 players to represent Japan in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. 
• He started his first match of the tournament and contributed to a 3-2 victory against Turkmenistan. 
• In the Round of 16 match against Saudi Arabia, he provided an assist for Takehiro Tomiyasu's winning goal, helping Japan secure a 1-0 victory and advance to the quarter-finals. 
• He played in two more matches as Japan reached the final for the first time since 2011 but ultimately finished as runners-up after a 3-1 defeat against Qatar. 
• In March 2019, he captained Japan for the first time in a match against Colombia. 
• He was later appointed captain for Japan in the Copa América tournament, where he led the team in all three group stage matches, but they were eliminated. 
• He continued to feature for Japan in 2019, including a match as captain against Venezuela in November. 
• He was also involved in a victory over Ivory Coast, providing a crucial assist.

Gaku Shivasaki Awards & Achievements

Kashima Antlers

• J1 League: 2016
• J.League Cup: 2011, 2012
• Emperor's Cup: 2016
• Suruga Bank Championship: 2012, 2013

Japan

• AFC Asian Cup runner-up: 2019

Individual

• J. League Cup MVP: 2012
• J. League Rookie of the Year: 2012
• FIFA Club World Cup Bronze Ball: 2016
• AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 2019 

Gaku Shibasaki Transfer News

• July 2023: No team
• September 4, 2020: Leganés (Free transfer)
• July 14, 2019: Deportivo La Coruña (Free transfer)
• July 17, 2017: Getafe (Free transfer)
• January 31, 2017: Tenerife (Free transfer)
• January 1, 2011: Kashima Antlers (From Aomori Yamada, Free transfer)

Gaku Shibasaki Net Worth

Gaku Shibasaki, the talented football player, has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2023, primarily earned from his successful football career. His main source of income stems from his professional football contracts, which include lucrative bonuses and more. As a player for Leganés, Shibasaki receives a weekly wage of £9,200 and an annual salary of £478,400. His current market value is €1 million as of June 14, 2023. With his earnings, he enjoys a comfortable and stylish lifestyle, reflecting the success of his career.

Gaku Shibasaki Married & Wife

Gaku Shibasaki is happily married to his wife, Erina Mano, who is an actress and singer. Although their relationship was not publicly known until November 25, 2017, they tied the knot on July 16, 2018. The couple is enjoying their life together, and Shibasaki identifies as straight in terms of his sexuality.

Gaku Shibasaki Height & Weight

Gaku Shibasaki, the talented footballer, stands at a height of 1.75 meters (5 feet 9 inches) and weighs approximately 70 kilograms (154 pounds). He possesses a handsome appearance with black eyes and black hair. With an athletic body type, Shibasaki maintains a balanced physique and takes good care of his health. He emphasizes regular exercise to keep himself fit and in shape.