The striker who conquered Scotland but missed the World Cup
In short: Kyōgo Furuhashi became a hero in Glasgow, winning multiple trophies and individual awards as one of Celtic's most prolific strikers. Yet, despite his domestic dominance, he was twice excluded from Japan's major international tournaments—a move that sparked intense debate over how national teams value collective chemistry over individual brilliance.
Furuhashi's rise in European football began in 2021 when he joined Celtic for £4.5 million. He quickly established himself as a clinical finisher, notably scoring a hat-trick against Dundee just days after his debut and securing his first trophy with a brace in the Scottish League Cup final on December 19, 2021. His impact was so significant that he won the Scottish Premiership Golden Boot in June 2023 after netting 27 goals, alongside being named the league's Player of the Year.
Despite this individual success, Furuhashi faced a puzzling exclusion from Japan's national team during pivotal moments. He was left out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 AFC Asian Cup. Manager Hajime Moriyasu defended these decisions by stating that the selection process prioritized players who could synchronize perfectly with the team's organizational structure, rather than those who simply possessed high individual output.
The tension between 'star power' and 'system fit' defined Furuhashi's international narrative until late 2024. It wasn't until November 7, 2024, that he was finally recalled for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. His journey—from a domestic standout in Japan to a trophy-winning icon in Scotland and eventually a move to Ligue 1 Rennes and later LA Galaxy—serves as a case study on the complexities of modern football scouting and national team selection.
Furuhashi's career highlights include scoring his first Champions League goal against Lazio in October 2023 and winning three Scottish League Cup titles. His ability to perform under pressure, particularly in high-stakes derbies against Rangers, solidified his reputation as a premier striker before he transitioned into the North American league system.
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