Born inNagasaki, Japan, Yoshida began playing football at Nanling FC in his second year at elementary school.[3][4] His older brother, Honami, played an important role in starting his football career when he searched on the internet forNagoya Grampus's U-15 team and this led Yoshida to join the U-15 team.[3] Once Yoshida joined, he relocated to Nagoya to be close at Nagoya Grampus and attended Toyota High School.[3][4][5][6]
After spending five years at Nagoya Grampus Youth Academy, he was promoted to the first team in the 2007 season, having signed his first professional contract.[6][7] Yoshida joined the club's first team training soon after and started out as a defensive midfielder while playing for Nagoya Grampus's youth team, but was converted to centre back.[8] After spending months on the substitute bench, Yoshida finally made his debut for the club, coming on as a second-half substitute, in a 2–1 loss againstOita Trinita on 3 May 2007.[9] Since then, he became a first team regular for Nagoya Grampus, playing in the centre–back position.[10] On 5 November 2007, Yoshida scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–1 win againstThespa Kusatsu in the fourth round of the Emperor's Cup.[11] At the end of the 2007 season, he went on to make twenty–four appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
In the 2008 season, Yoshida began to feature in the starting line-up for most of the league matches, forming a centre–back partnership with his Serbian teammateMiloš Bajalica.[12] He started the season well when he helped Nagoya Grampus go on an unbeaten run of seven matches in all competitions.[13] Yoshida continued to feature in the first team until he was called up to the Japan U23 squad in July.[14] After Japan U23's elimination in the Summer Olympics, it was not until 23 August 2008 that Yoshida returned to the starting line-up againstKashima Antlers and scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–1 win.[15] However, he lost his first team place and found himself placed on the substitute bench for the next five matches.[16] Yoshida's second goal then came on 2 November 2008 againstFC Gifu in the fourth round of the Emperor's Cup and helped them win 1–0.[17] By mid–October, he regained his first team place for the remaining matches of the season and helped the club finish third place in the league.[18] For his performance, Yoshida won the Rookie of the Year at the 14th Aichi Toyota "Grand Pass Rankle Award".[19] At the end of the 2008 season, he went on to make twenty–nine appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
At the start of the 2009 season, Yoshida switched number shirt to four.[20] He scoredNagoya Grampus's historical first goal in theAFC Champions League in the game againstUlsan Hyundai Horang-i, winning 3–1 on 10 March 2009.[21] Yoshida continued to regain his first team place for the club, playing in the centre–back position.[22] His second goal of the season came on 26 April 2009, scoring an equaliser goal, in a 2–1 win againstYokohama F. Marinos.[23] However by early–July, he suffered a calf injury that saw him out for two weeks.[24] Yoshida made his first team return for Nagoya Grampus on 18 July 2009, starting the match, in a 1–1 draw againstKyoto Sanga.[25] He scored his third goal of the season, in a 2–1 win againstFC Tokyo eleven days later on 29 July 2009, but the club was eliminated in the J.League Cup following a 6–3 on aggregate.[26] Since returning to the first team from injury, Yoshida regained his first team place for the club's remaining matches of the 2009 season.[27] He later added two more goals throughout September, scoring againstKashiwa Reysol andKawasaki Frontale.[28] The following month, Yoshida scored two more goals for Nagoya Grampus, coming against FC Tokyo andYokohama F. Marinos.[29] He scored his eighth goal of the season, in a 3–1 win againstJúbilo Iwata in the fourth round of the Emperor's Cup.[30] Yoshida later helped the club to reach the Emperor's Cup final after beatingShimizu S-Pulse 5–4 on penalty shoot–out following a 1–1 draw throughout 120 minutes.[31] However, he started in theEmperor's Cup Final againstGamba Osaka, as Nagoya Grampus loss 4–1 in what turned out to be his last appearance for the club.[32] At the end of the 2009 season, Yoshida went on to make forty–eight appearances and scoring eight times in all competitions.
Yoshida pictured during his time atVVV-Venlo at the fan gatherings
In December 2009, it was announced that Yoshida had transferred to Dutch clubVVV-Venlo, signing a three–year contract.[33] He had desired to play for a club in Europe since he was young.Keisuke Honda, who was his teammate atNagoya Grampus, introduced his agent,Tetsuro Kiyooka to support his future vision.[34] Indeed, Yoshida followed the footsteps of Keisuke Honda who also played for VVV-Venlo before he joined them.[35] However, Yoshida's start to VVV-Venlo career suffered a setback when he fractured his foot and left him out for the rest of the 2009–10 season.[36]
At the start of the 2010–11 season, Yoshida continued to recover from his fractured foot.[37] On 30 October 2010, he made his VVV-Venlo debut, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute, and set up the club's third goal of the game, in a 5–3 loss againstFC Groningen.[38] Since making his debut for VVV-Venlo, Yoshida quickly became a first team regular for the club.[39] After spending January with Japan in the Asian Cup and winning the tournament, he made his first team return, starting the match, in a 3–0 win againstNAC Breda on 5 February 2011.[40] Yoshida later regained his first team place for the remaining matches of the season, as VVV-Venlo qualified for the relegation play–offs.[41] He started all the four matches in the relegation play–offs and helped the club retain their Eredivisie league status.[42] At the end of the 2010–11 season, Yoshida went on to make twenty–four appearances in all competitions.
At the start of the 2011–12 season, Yoshida continued to retain his first team place for VVV-Venlo, playing in the centre–back position.[43] He scored a bicycle kick goal for VVV-Venlo off a corner kick on 11 September 2011 againstPSV Eindhoven, as the match ended in a 3–3 draw.[44] This goal was awarded as "Goal of the Season 2011–2012" of theEredivisie.[45] The Yoshida scored his second goal of the season, in a 4–1 win againstRKC Waalwijk on 22 October 2011.[46] On 18 February 2012, he scored his third goal of the season, in a 4–1 win againstDe Graafschap.[47] Yoshida's fourth goal of the season came on 3 March 2012, in a 2–1 win againstNAC Breda.[48] He scored his fifth goal of the season againstRoda JC, but was sent off in the 73rd minute for an unprofessional foul, in a 3–1 loss.[49] After serving a two match suspension, Yoshida returned to the starting line-up, starting the match, in a 2–0 loss against PSV Eindhoven on 31 March 2012.[50] He later started all the four matches in the relegation play–offs and helped the club retain their Eredivisie league status once again.[51] Yoshida's experience in the relegation play–offs led him to write a blog about the subject.[52] At the end of the 2011–12 season, Yoshida went on to make thirty–seven appearances and scoring five times in all competitions as a central defender.
In the 2012–13 season, Yoshida made two appearances for VVV-Venlo, including making his last appearance againstADO Den Haag on 25 August 2012, in which he set up the club's first goal of the game, losing 4–2.[53]
On 30 August 2012, Yoshida agreed to join newly–promotedPremier League sideSouthampton on a three-year contract for a fee thought to be in the region of £3 million and was joined by his teammate,Tadanari Lee.[54] Upon joining the club, he told theSouthern Daily Echo that the move to England would help him grow as a player.[55]
Yoshida made his debut for the Saints on 15 September 2012, againstArsenal in a 6–1 defeat, coming on as a 28th-minute substitute forJos Hooiveld.[56] He then made his home debut a week later on 22 September 2012 in a 4–1 win overAston Villa, playing the whole 90 minutes.[57] Since joining the club, Yoshida quickly became a first team regular, playing in the centre–back position and forming a partnership withJosé Fonte.[58] During a 1–1 draw againstSwansea City on 10 November 2012, Yoshida made a poor control to the ball that led toNathan Dyer scoring an equaliser.[59] Despite, he continued to retain his first team place againstQueens Park Rangers and helped them win 3–1 on 15 November 2012.[60] Along the way, he was rotated to playing in the left–back and right–back positions.[61] Since making his debut for Southampton, Yoshida started in every match for the Saints and helped improve the results on both the club and the player, himself.[62] Having started the 2012–13 season at the bottom of the table, results improved and he helped Southampton avoid relegation by finishing fourteenth place.[63] In his first season at Southampton, he went on to make thirty–four appearances in all competitions.
However at the start of the 2013–14 season, Yoshida's first team opportunities became limited under the management ofMauricio Pochettino and he found himself on the substitute bench.[64] Despite this, he made his first appearance of the season, in a 5–1 win againstBarnsley on 27 August 2013.[65] Yoshida then scored his first goal for Southampton in a 2–1 defeat toSunderland in theLeague Cup on 6 November 2013.[66] A month later on 4 December 2013, he made his first Premier League appearance, starting the match, in a 3–2 loss againstAston Villa.[67] At the start of January, Yoshida had a first team run in following an injury toDejan Lovren, starting the next six matches as the results improved.[68] He scored his first Premier League goal in a 3–1 defeat atWest Ham United on 22 February 2014 after aSteven Davis free kick.[69] But following Lovern's return, he was once again behind the pecking order in the centre–back competitions, as well as, his own injury concerns.[70][71] At the end of the 2013–14 season, Yoshida went on to make fourteen appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
At the start of the 2014–15 season, Yoshida regained his first team place, playing in the centre–back position, following Lovern's departure.[72] However, during a 1–0 win againstSwansea City on 20 September 2014, he suffered ankle injury and was substituted in the second half, resulting in him out for four weeks.[73] Although Yoshida returned from injury, he was placed on the substitute bench until on 30 November 2014 againstManchester City, coming on as a second–half substitute, in a 3–0 loss.[74] His next goal came on 20 December 2014, in a 3–0 victory overEverton, with Steven Davis again providing the assist.[75] Two weeks later on 8 January 2015, Southampton announced that Yoshida and the club had agreed terms to an extension of his contract until 2018.[76] After spending January with Japan's campaign at the AFC Asian Cup, he returned to the starting line-up and played the whole game, in a 1–0 loss against Swansea City on 1 February 2015.[77] In a follow–up match against Queens Park Rangers, Yoshida played an important role in the game when he set up the only goal of the game, in a 1–0 win.[78] Towards the end of the season, he found himself in and out of the starting line-up in the first team and demoted on the substitute bench.[79] Despite this, Yoshida helped the club finish seventh place in the league, resulting in their qualifying for the UEFA Europa League next season.[80] At the end of the 2014–15 season, he went on to make twenty–three appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
Yoshida pictured with the young mascots ahead of a friendly match againstFC Augsburg in 2017
At the start of the 2015–16 season, Yoshida started the season well when he helped a clean sheet in both legs by beatingVitesse 5–0 on aggregate in the third round of the UEFA Europa League.[81] However, Yoshida was unable to help Southampton reach the group stage of the tournament after losing 2–1 on aggregate againstMidtjylland.[82] Despite this, Yoshida helped the club keep three consecutive clean sheets between 23 August 2015 and 23 September 2015.[83] Having started playing in the centre–back position, he played in the right–back position, due to increase competitions among the centre–backs.[84] During a match againstManchester United on 21 September 2015, Yoshida was at fault when his back pass backfired, allowingAnthony Martial to score, as Southampton loss 3–2.[85] Following this, Yoshida mostly appeared for the club from the substitute bench, due to strong competitions in the defence.[86] On 28 October 2015, he scored his first goal of the 2015–16 season with a 20-yard strike againstAston Villa in the League Cup.[87] Yoshida's second goal of the season came on 6 February 2016 in a 1–0 victory atSt. Mary's over West Ham United.[88] The club later finished sixth place in the league, resulting their qualification of the UEFA Europa League once again next season.[89] At the end of the 2015–16 season, he went on to make twenty–seven appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
At the start of the 2016–17 season, Yoshida started the match againstWatford in the opening game of the season, resulting a 1–1 draw.[90] However, he became a backup in the club's centre–back position behindVirgil van Dijk and Fonte.[91] Despite this, national newspaperDaily Mirror mentioned Yoshida in their article of Premier League pace-setters.[92] On 6 November 2016, he made his return to the starting line-up againstHull City and won a penalty, leadingCharlie Austin to successfully convert, leading Southampton losing 2–1.[93] Amid to the league, Yoshida started all six matches in the UEFA Europa League.[94] He helped the Saints keep two clean sheets in the first two UEFA Europa League matches.[95] After a famous 2–1 win againstInter Milan on 3 November 2016, as the club's forms declined and were eliminated from the tournament.[96] On 7 January 2017, Yoshida scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–2 draw againstNorwich City in the third round of the EFL Cup.[97] Following the match, he dedicated his goal to his newly born baby daughter.[98] Yoshida captained Southampton for the first time and helped the club beat Norwich City 1–0 in the third round of the FA Cup replay.[99] Despite indifferent form on the part of both Yoshida and the Saints as a whole, Southampton became the first team in history to reach thefinal without conceding a single goal after beatingLiverpool 2–0 on aggregate in the EFL semi–finals.[100] Yoshida previously helped Southampton keep three clean sheets in a built up to the EFL Cup semi–finals.[101] However, he started in the final, as Southampton loss 3–2 to Manchester United on 26 February 2017.[102] Following Fonte's departure from the club, Yoshida regained his first team place for the rest of the season.[103] On 5 April 2017, he scored his second goal of the season, in a 3–1 win againstCrystal Palace.[104] After the match, ManagerClaude Puel praised Yoshida's performance, saying he was "fantastic" and mentioned that he could be "a captain" for Southampton.[105] In a follow–up, Yoshida captained the Saints once again, in a 1–0 win againstWest Bromwich Albion.[106] He then made his 100th appearance for Southampton and Premier League overall, becoming the first Japanese player to reach the milestone, in a 0–0 draw against Hull City on 29 April 2017.[107] At the end of the 2016–17 season, which saw the club finish in seventh place, Yoshida went on to make thirty–seven appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
In the 2017–18 season, Yoshida appeared in the first three league matches of the season, including winning a penalty and it was successfully converted by Austin, in a 3–2 win against West Ham United on 19 August 2017.[108] It was announced on 24 August 2017 that Yoshida signed a further extension of his contract with Southampton until 2020.[109] He continued to remain in competitions among the centre–backs, which saw him placed on the substitute bench.[110] On 30 September 2017, Yoshida scored his first goal of the season, scoring from a volley in the 75th minute in a 2–1 loss against Stoke City.[111] By the end of 2017, he captained six out of the eight matches for the Saints.[112] Yoshida also scored his second goal of the season, in a 4–1 loss againstLeicester City on 13 December 2017.[113] However, Yoshida suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out for two weeks.[114] On 27 January 2018, he made return from injury, coming on as a 67th-minute substitute, in a 1–0 win against Watford.[115] Yoshida's return was short–lived when he suffered a knee injury that kept him out for two months.[116] On 8 April 2018, Yoshida returned to the starting line-up and played for 72 minutes before being substituted, in a 3–2 loss against Arsenal.[117] Throughout the 2017–18 season, the club have found themselves in a relegation zone, putting their Premier League status under threat.[118] However, in the penultimate match of the season, a 1–1 draw with Everton on 5 May 2018, he was sent–off for a second bookable offence, so was suspended for the visit to Swansea City from which Southampton needed a win to survive at their hosts' expense.[119] The match was won by Southampton, so Swansea City were relegated.[120] At the end of the 2017–18 season, Yoshida went on to make twenty–eight appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2018–19 season, Yoshida was linked a move away from Southampton, with Saudi Arabian sideAl Hilal interested.[121] But the transfer speculation came to an end after Yoshida announced his intention to stay at the club.[122] At the start of the season, he found his first team opportunities limited under the management ofMark Hughes.[123] On 27 August 2018, Yoshida made his first appearance of the season, starting the match, in a 1–0 win againstBrighton & Hove Albion in the second round of the EFL Cup.[124] He soon had a first team run, starting a lot of matches by the end of 2018.[125] Following his international commitment with Japan at the AFC Asian Cup came to an end, Yoshida returned to the starting line-up and helped the Saints keep a clean sheet, in a 2–0 win against Fulham on 27 February 2019.[126] Since returning to the first team, he regained his place for the rest of the season and helped Southampton avoid relegation once again.[127] Despite being out with an illness that eventually saw him out for the rest of the 2018–19 season, Yoshida went on to make twenty appearances in all competitions.[128]
In the 2019–20 season, Yoshida made his first appearance of the season, starting the match, in a 2–1 loss againstLiverpool on 17 August 2019.[129] He soon had a first team run ins for the next two months.[130] Following a9–0 loss to Leicester City in October, Yoshida was dropped to the bench and only played two further times for the team.[131][132] On 30 June 2020, he confirmed his departure from the club after eight years.[133]
On 31 January 2020, Yoshida joinedSerie A sideSampdoria on loan until the end of the season.[134] Local newspaper theSouthern Daily Echo described Yoshida's departure as the "end of an era".[135]
Having appeared on the substitute bench for two matches, Yoshida made his Sampdoria debut againstHellas Verona on 8 March 2020 and played the whole game, as the club won 2–1.[136] Following his debut for Sampdoria, he quickly became a fan favourite among the club's supporters.[137] However, this turns out to be his only appearance for Sampdoria, as the season was suspended because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[138] He remained an integral part of the club once the season resumed behind closed doors.[139] In a match againstUdinese on 12 July 2020, Yoshida set up a goal for former Southampton teammateManolo Gabbiadini to help Sampdoria secure a 3–1 win.[140] By the end of the 2019–20 season, Yoshida made fourteen appearances in all competitions.
After two months of negotiations over a permanent move, Yoshida returned to Sampdoria, signing a one–year contract with the club and took a pay cut upon doing so.[141] His first game after signing for Sampdoria on a permanent basis came in the opening game of the season againstJuventus, coming on as a second half substititute, in a 3–0 loss.[142] Since joining the club, he found himself facing competitions in the centre–back positions withOmar Colley andLorenzo Tonelli.[143] Despite this, Yoshida continued to remain in the starting line–up, forming a centre–back partnership with either Colley or Tonelli.[144] Halfway through the 2020–21 season, Yoshida played in the right–back position three times between 23 December 2020 and 6 January 2021, due to the absence ofBartosz Bereszyński.[145] Following the return of Bereszyński, he returned to playing in the centre–back position for the rest of the 2020–21 season.[146] On 19 January 2021, Yoshida signed a two–year contract with the club, keeping him until 2022.[147] He scored his first goal for theBlucerchiati on 24 January 2021 againstParma.[148] Despite suffering injury setbacks on two occasions throughout the 2020–21 season, Yoshida made thirty–four appearances and scoring once in all competitions.[149]
At the start of the 2021–22 season, Yoshida continued to retain his first team place, forming a forming a centre–back partnership with Colley.[150] He scored his first goal of the season, scoring a first half equaliser, as Sampdoria eventually drew 2–2 againstInter Milan on 12 September 2021.[151] Two weeks later on 26 September 2021, Yoshida scored his second goal of the season, in a 3–2 loss againstJuventus.[152] However, he suffered a knee injury that saw him out for one match.[153] But Yoshida made his return from injury, coming on as a 35th-minute substitute, in a 3–1 win againstHellas Verona on 27 November 2021.[154] In a match againstCagliari Calcio on 6 January 2022, he set up the opening goal for Gabbiadini but suffered a thigh injury that resulted in his substitution, as the club loss 2–1.[155] After the match, Yoshida was out for a month with a thigh injury.[156] On 28 February 2022, he returned from injury, coming on as a second half substitute, in a 4–0 againstAtalanta.[157] Following his return from injury, Yoshida struggled to regain his place in the first team, with Colley andAlex Ferrari preferred for the rest of the 2021–22 season,[158] During a 2–0 loss againstBologna on 11 April 2022, he was at fault, leading the opposition team to score the second goal of the game.[159] At the end of the 2021–22 season, Yoshida made twenty–six appearances and scoring two times in all competitions. On 13 June 2022, he hinted of his departure from Sampdoria in the Japan's press conference over uncertainties of his future at the club.[160] His departure from Sampdoria was confirmed on 30 June 2022.[161]
On 5 July 2022, Yoshida joined German sideSchalke 04 on afree transfer, signing a one-year contract with theBundesliga club, with an option for another year.[162][163] In the process, he became the third Japanese defender to ever play for Schalke, followingAtsuto Uchida andKo Itakura.[163] The transfer was first reported viaTwitter byFabrizio Romano a few hours before the official announcement, with the Italian sports journalist adding that Yoshida had previously turned down several other offers, including one fromTrabzonspor: the centre-back himself eventually expressed his surprise towards the accuracy of Romano's report in aquote retweet, writing, "This guy is incredible… even my wife didn't know aboutTrabzonspor".[164] Upon joining the club, he was given a number twenty–two shirt, the shirt worn by Uchida, and consulted about the move with him, who asked him to choose the number.[165]
Yoshida made his Schalke 04 debut as captain againstBremer SV in the first round of the DFB–Pokal and helped the club keep a clean sheet, in a 0–0 draw.[166] Since joining Schalke 04, he became the club's first choice centre–back, forming a partnership withHenning Matriciani and laterMoritz Jenz.[167] However due to Schalke 04's poor performance, Yoshida's own performance came under criticism for his lack of speed in defence.[168] Despite this, his poor performance has no effect on his Samurai Blue for theWorld Cup in Qatar.[169] After the World Cup in Qatar, he led the club as captain to go on an unbeaten run of eight matches, which saw Schalke 04 improve on their results.[170] Yoshida helped the club keep four clean sheets between 29 January 2023 and 19 February 2023.[171][172] This proved an improvement performance for him, as he was threatened of facing demotion to the substitution bench.[173] Towards the end of the 2022–23 season, Yoshida played two times for Schalke 04, as he was absent five times out of the seven remaining matches, due to injuries and competitions.[174]
Yoshida featured in 29league games for Schalke 04,[175] as theGelsenkirchen-based team finished second-to-bottom of the table and got relegated to the2. Bundesliga.[176][177] He left the club at the end of the season, following the expiration of his contract.[177][178][179]
On 3 August 2023, Yoshida joinedMajor League Soccer clubLA Galaxy on a free transfer, signing a contract through the end of the 2024 season.[180]
He made his debut for the club, starting the match and kept a clean sheet, in a 1–0 win againstChicago Fire on 26 August 2023.[181] Since joining LA Galaxy, Yoshida became a first team regular, forming a centre–back partnership withEriq Zavaleta andChris Mavinga.[182] He scored his first goal for the club, scoring a second half equaliser, in a 4–2 loss againstrivals,Los Angeles FC on 16 September 2023.[183] In the absence of original captainJavier Hernández, Yoshida captained LA Galaxy for the first time and led the club to a 3–3 draw againstPortland Timbers on 30 September 2023.[184] Having started all the remaining LA Galaxy's matches since joining the club, he made twelve appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2024 season, it was announced that Yoshida was named as LA Galaxy's new captain following the departure of Hernández.[185] He scored his first goal of the season, scoring a last minute equalier to help the club earn a 3–3 draw againstSt. Louis City SC on 17 March 2024.[186] A month later on 22 April 2024, Yoshida scored his second goal of the season, in a 4–3 win againstSan Jose Earthquakes.[187] Yoshida was crowned MLS champion after defeating the New York Red Bulls in MLS Cup 2024.
Yoshida was first called up to Japan's U-23 team in April 2008 for the first time following good performance at Nagoya Grampus.[188] A month later on 22 May 2008, he made his Japan U23 debut in theToulon Tournament and started the whole game, in a 2–1 win againstFrance.[189] Yoshida went on to make two appearances in the tournament, as Japan U-23 finished fourth place after reaching the semi–finals.[190]
It was announced on 14 July 2008 that Yoshida was called up to the Japan U-23 team for the2008 Summer Olympic in Beijing.[191] After appearing twice as an unused substitute, he made his debut in the tournament, starting the match, in a 1–0 loss againstNetherlands on 13 August 2008 and the Samurai Blue was eliminated from the tournament.[192]
Four years later, Yoshida was called up to the Japan U-23 team for the second time ahead of the2012 Summer Olympics in London.[193] Ahead of the tournament, he was named as captain by ManagerTakashi Sekizuka.[194] Yoshida's first match as captain came on 26 July 2012 againstSpain and helped the Samurai Blue keep a clean sheet, in a 1–0 win.[195] In the next two matches, he helped the Japan U-23 team keep two more clean sheets againstMorocco U23 andHonduras U23 with a win and draw respectively, resulting in Japan U23 qualifying for the knockout stage.[196] Yoshida scored his first goal of the tournament, scoring a header fromHiroshi Kiyotake's free kick, in a 3–0 againstEgypt U23 in the quarter–finals.[197] However, he continued to lead Japan U23 finished fourth place in the Olympics after losing toMexico U23 andSouth Korea U23.[198] After the match, Yoshida said: "I can appreciate that the team whose initial expectation was not so high has advanced to the top four for the first time in 44 years. I do not think why I could not go on it or got a medal The Olympics are a gathering of young athletes called the U-23, and it is important that as many athletes go into the national team as A and stand on the World Cup stage."[199]
In June 2021, Yoshida was named in the squad for his thirdOlympictournament, this time on home soil, as one of three available over-age players.[200] It was also announced that he would be the captain for the tournament.[201] Prior to the start of the Olympics, Yoshida was featured in three out of the four friendly matches for the Samurai Blue.[202] During which, he said about the Olympics event without spectators, saying: "I'm sorry for the non-audience. A lot of customers came to see us today, and the supporters' cheers helped us during the last 5 minutes and 10 minutes. It's a difficult situation. Now it's a difficult situation no matter which one you comment on."[203] Yoshida soon clarified his statement, saying it was his "personal idea".[204] He helped Japan win all three matches inthe group stage to advance to the knockout stage.[205] In thequarter–final againstNew Zealand, Yoshida captained the whole game throughout 120 minutes with a goalless result and successfully converted the winning kick in the penalty shootout, as the Samurai Blue won 4–2 to reach the semi–finals.[206] However, Japan lost the next two matches inthe semi–finals andbronze medal match againstSpain and Mexico respectively.[207] Despite failing to win a medal as he hoped for, Yoshida reflected about being captain for Japan in the Olympics, saying: "I had a lot of fun. I thought I could give everyone something, but young players could absorb a lot of things. I think I was able to grow as a player. Let's be proud and go home. I want to be proud and go home. This is not the end. Still, my soccer life will continue."[208]
In December 2009, Yoshida was called up to thesenior national team for the first time.[209] He made his full international debut forJapan on 6 January 2010 in a2011 AFC Asian Cup qualifier againstYemen.[210] Yoshida later reflected on his debut, saying: "Of course Yemen war of 2010 (3-2) because it was all the way to the target, I was happy."[211] After fracturing his fingers, Yoshida stated that he was determined to recovery from his injury and hope to get called up for the2010 World Cup squad.[212] However, Yoshida did not make the cut.[213]
In December 2010, Yoshida was called up to the Japan's squad for the2011 AFC Asian Cup inQatar.[214] Under the management ofAlberto Zaccheroni, it's emerged that he is expecting to start in the centre–back position ahead of the tournament.[215] Yoshida scored his first Japan goal, in a 1–1 draw againstJordan on 9 January 2011.[216] Yoshida started two more matches in the group-stage, as Japan progressed through the knockout stage.[217] However, Yoshida was sent–off for a second bookable offence, in a 3–2 win againstQatar in the quarter–finals of the AFC Asian Cup.[218] After serving a one match suspension, Yoshida returned to the starting line-ups in theAFC Asian Cup Final againstAustralia and played 120 minutes, as they beat the Socceroos 1–0 to win the AFC Asian Cup, thanks toTadanari Lee.[219] Between 7 June 2011 and 2 September 2011, Yoshida kept three consecutive three cleans; including once againstNorth Korea, which he scored the only goal of the game.[220] Yoshida kept an additional three more clean sheets between 7 October 2011 and 11 November 2011.[221]
Following the Olympics, Yoshida continued to help Japan by keeping three consecutive clean sheets between 6 September 2012 and 12 October 2012 againstUAE,Iraq andFrance.[222] He later helped Japan qualify for the World Cup after drawing 1–1 against Australia on 4 June 2013.[223] Two days later, Yoshida was called up to the Samurai Blue for the2013 Confederations Cup squad.[224] He was featured three times in the tournament, as Japan loss all three matches and was eliminated in the group stage.[225]
Yoshida playing for Japan during a match againstBelgium in the round of 16 of theFIFA World Cup
In May 2014, Yoshida was named in Japan's preliminary squad for the2014 World Cup in Brazil.[226] In the end, he made it to the final cut for the 23-man squad.[227] Yoshida started all three matches despite facing competitions from the centre–back and subsequently, Japan was eliminated from the tournament in the group stage, without winning any matches.[228] Despite this, he kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw againstGreece on 20 June 2014.[229] Later in 2014, Yoshida scored his first Japan's goal in three years, as the Samurai Blue beatHonduras 6–0 on 14 November 2014.[230]
In December 2014, Yoshida was selected as a member of the Japanese team for the2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia.[231] He played Japan's opener match against debutantPalestine and scored the final goal in a 4–0 win.[232] Yoshida helped Japan keep two more clean sheets to advance through to the quarter–finals.[233] However, he conceded a goal fromAli Mabkhout before Japan equalised and the match was played throughout 120 minutes; ultimately, they were eliminated after losing in penalty–shootout.[234] After the match, Yoshida acknowledged his fault for conceding a goal from the opposition team.[235]
Throughout Japan's matches in the World Cup qualifying round, Yoshida then scored again in a 3–0 win againstCambodia on 3 September 2015.[236] He later helped Japan keep two more clean sheets for Samurai Blue againstAfghanistan andSyria.[237] Yoshida kept four more clean sheets for Japan in the World Cup qualifying round between 12 November 2015 and 29 March 2016.[238] During the run, he scored two goals againstSingapore and Afghanistan.[239] Three months later on 3 June 2016, Yoshida scored a brace, scoring in the fourth and five goal, in a 7–2 win againstBulgaria to help the Samurai Blue reach the final of theKirin Cup Soccer.[240] However, Japan loss 2–1 in the Kirin Cup Soccer final againstBosnia and Herzegovina on 7 June 2016.[241] The following March, he captained Samurai Blue for the first time in his career and helped the Japan beat UAE 2–0.[242] After the match, Yoshida said: "I have played several times in my team, but it is a big thing to be the captain of the national team. I felt it."[243] In a follow–up match againstThailand, he scored again, in a 4–0 win.[244] Three months later, on 31 August 2017, Yoshida started the match and beat Australia 2–0, earning Japan a place in the World Cup in Russia.[245]
Yoshida booked for handball during a match againstQatar in theAFC Asian Cup final; leading to a penalty converted successfully from the opposition team and resulting Japan losing 3–1
On 31 May 2018, Yoshida was selected in the 23-man squad for the2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[246] It was expected once again that Yoshida will be starting in the centre–back position ahead of the tournament.[247] He played every single minute in all the group stage matches againstColombia,Senegal andPoland.[248] However, Japan was knocked out of the tournament after losing 3–2 toBelgium in the round of 16 match.[249] His performance in the World Cup earned praises from the British media, such as,The Guardian andBBC Sport.[250]
In December 2018, Yoshida was one of 23 Japanese players selected for the2019 AFC Asian Cup.[251] Ahead of the tournament, he was given the captaincy once again.[252] Yoshida started the tournament as captain well when he helped Japan win 3–2 againstTurkmenistan.[253] Yoshida led the Samurai Blue all the way to the final, as well as, keeping four clean sheets along the way.[254] In theAFC Asian Cup final against Qatar, he started and captained Japan, as the Samurai Blue loss 3–1, finishing as runner–up in the tournament.[255] During the match, he was penalised for handball, leading Qatar to successfully convert the penalty to give the opposition team a 3–1 lead.[256] After the match, Yoshida said: "I felt that the team had a good performance in the (semi-final) match against Iran, and they felt that they were going to be able to go this way and be able to go this way. I couldn't control, and I didn't win. I feel unhappy."[257] However, Yoshida's call-up to the tournament caused squad selection problems for new Southampton managerRalph Hasenhüttl during his absence.[258] In response, he acknowledged the risk he took by playing for Japan in the Asian Cup.[259]
Following the conclusion of the AFC Asian Cup, Yoshida didn't receive an international call–up until August.[260] He was also given the captaincy.[261] Yoshida captained the remaining matches of 2019 with clean sheets.[262] During this run, he scored his first international goal of the year, in a 6–0 win againstMongolia on 10 October 2019.[263] On 14 November 2019, Yoshida also played his 100th match for Japan againstKyrgyzstan.[264] Almost a year later, in October 2020, he was called up to the Samurai Blue squad.[265] He started four matches as captain by the end of the year and helped Japan keep three consecutive clean sheets before losing toMexico on 17 November 2020.[266] At the beginning of 2021, Yoshida continued to retain his captaincy and helped the Samurai Blue kept another three consecutive clean sheets againstSouth Korea,Mongolia andMyanmar in theFIFA World Cup qualification.[267] After losing 1–0 againstSaudi Arabia on 7 October 2021, he confronted the section of Saudi Arabia supporters, angrily accusing them of making fun of him while conducting a post-match interview.[268] Despite this, Yoshida led Japan to qualify for theFIFA World Cup in Qatar after Samurai Blue beat Australia 2–0.[269] In a follow–up match againstVietnam, he scored a second–half equaliser, in a 1–1 draw.[270] Two months later, Yoshida was called up to the Japan's squad for theKirin Cup Soccer.[271] He played in both matches for the Samurai Blue in the tournament, as Japan finished as runners-up after losing 3–0 againstTunisia.[272]
His performances at Schalke 04 led to uncertainties on whether Yoshida would be included in the Japan's World Cup squad in Qatar.[169] But on 1 November 2022, he was included as part of the Samurai Blue's 26 man squad for theFIFA World Cup inQatar.[273] Yoshida, once again, was placed as captain ahead of the tournament and formed a centre–back partnership withKo Itakura andShogo Taniguchi.[274] He played all three matches in the group and led Japan reach the group stage for the second time in a row.[275] After the match againstSpain, Yoshida reflected on the performance: "I have no words. I can't quit playing for the national team because ofthis. It was awesome."[276] On 5 December 2022, Yoshida set up a goal forDaizen Maeda, who scored a goal at the 43rd minute to put Samurai Blue in front during the round of 16 game againstCroatia, which eventually ended 1–1 with Japan crashing out after their defeat on penalties, which he was one of the three players unsuccessfully converted in the shootout.[277]
After Japan's elimination in the World Cup, Yoshida hinted at retiring from international football.[278] Since then, he has not been called up to the Samurai Blue's squad.[279]
Yoshida has two brothers: Mirei and Honami[3] He later credited his older brother, Honami, for playing an important role in his football career.[3][4] Before he was born, his name "Maya" was originally planned for a girl when his mother was pregnant.[4] But the name was kept even if it was a boy who was born.[4] Yoshida revealed on his blog on 26 September 2012 that he was married.[280] Four years later, Yoshida revealed he was a first time father when his wife gave birth to a baby daughter.[281] During his time at Southampton, Yoshida resided inWinchester.[282] After spending seven years at Southampton, Yoshida revealed in an interview with SunSport that he had become a permanent resident in the United Kingdom and feels 25 per cent English.[283]
His family runs a boarding house in Nagasaki for children who cannot go to high school.[4] Growing up, Yoshida revealed that he is a fan of theanime andmanga seriesDragon Ball Z, and had an entire collection ofDragon Ball Z memorabilia until his father donated them to charity. Yoshida reflected on this, saying it helped him to think generously and give back to society.[284] In November 2007, Yoshida affiliated himself withFIFAPlayers' AgentTetsuro Kiyooka, in hopes of moving to Europe. It worked when he joined VVV-Venlo, three years after becoming Kiyooka's client.[35][34][285] Since moving to Europe, Yoshida created a personal blog, where he reflected about his experience living and playing in a different continent.[286] On every anniversary of theAtomic bombings, Yoshida, who is from Nagasaki, spoke out about his thoughts of the event.[287]
In May 2018, Yoshida published his first book titledUnbeatable Mind.[288] In addition to speakingJapanese, Yoshida is fluent inEnglish since he first studied the language in middle school.[55][289][290] Yoshida also studiedItalian andSpanish.[291][289][292] By August 2020, Yoshida began to speak Italian fluently.[293]
On 9 August 2013, it was announced that Yoshida would be on the front cover of the Japanese Edition ofFIFA 14.[294] During his Japan's career, Yoshida said he consideredAtsuto Uchida his fellow rival, yet his best friend, and is also friends withEiji Kawashima.[295][289] Yoshida's uncle,Tsuyoshi Shimoyanagi, is a former professional baseball player.[296] He is also a part-owner of Soccer Samurai.[297]
In August 2019, Yoshida revealed that he was pledging one percent of his salary to a pledge-based charitable movement, named Saints Foundation.[298] Two months later, Yoshida was named ambassador for the Saints' Foundation along with then-teammateJames Ward-Prowse.[299]
In the wake ofCOVID-19 pandemic, Yoshida posted a message on his social media account, urging people to stay at home.[300] While the season was suspended because of theCOVID-19 pandemic, Yoshida said he exercised daily for three months in order to maintain his fitness.[301] In May 2020, Yoshida used his own money to buy 10,000 masks from Japan and deliver them to hospitals in Genoa.[302]
On 20 June 2022, Yoshida was named the president of Japan Professional Soccer Players Association, succeedingHideto Takahashi.[303] Under his leadership, he introduced the JPFA Award, which an inaugural award took place on 18 January 2023.[304]
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