Interview with Iniesta's new partner: "This time with him is a treasure"

Kyogo Furuhashi is one of the great talents of Vissel Kobe. In recent months he has become the best partner of a certain Andres Iniesta, of whom he can only talk about wonders. He has caught the eye of some European teams, a dream that he does not hide in his talk with BeSoccer. Despite his shyness, it is clear that he is getting better and better at speaking Spanish.

He grew up in a house where the love of basketball was paramount, but Kyogo has opted for a different kind of ball.. After making his international debut at the last stop, he dreams of the Olympic Games and the World Cup. But he knows that he has to keep working. But he knows he has to keep working, even if he has to stay at home.

1. How are you coping with your confinement? What have you done the most during this break? 

I'm fine, I'm doing my best to be as fit as possible. I'm trying to cook more, take care of my food, I'm taking online Spanish classes, watching shows and such. 

2. How is all this going on in Japan? 

I think it's an unprecedented situation, which of course is affecting everyone, not just Japan. I think that the country is turning to collaborate so that this situation can be solved soon. It's incredible all the work of doctors, health workers, nurses, who work without rest. Now what we can do on our side is to stay at home as much as possible and help out as much as we can until everything returns to normal. 

3. The break came with you in a great state of form and living a very good time personally ... He had scored 5 goals in his last 6 games. 

Thank you! I'm really happy to have scored these goals, and above all to have helped the team with my contribution, but I think there are still many aspects of the game in which I'm not completely satisfied, in which I think I can improve, after all not everything is about scoring in football. I want to keep on trying my best every day to keep on growing and helping the team, and I want that effort and improvement to translate into results that will help us achieve our goals. 

4. You dream of being at the World Cup in Qatar and the option of being at the Olympic Games seems almost impossible, doesn't it? 

Yes, of course, although more than a dream, I'd say it's a great goal. To be on the pitch competing against the best players in the world, representing my country in the biggest competition there is, to fight for everything with the team. I'd really love to see what it feels like to play in a World Cup, I think about it very strongly.

Both the World Cup and the Olympics... you could say that, yes, it's a bit difficult, but right now I want to make the most of my opportunities. Now I'm concentrating on making an effort and giving my all on a daily basis, without thinking about the World Cup or the Olympics. I think that at the end of the day the shortest way to reach everything is to focus on what is in front of me in the short term, and everything else will come. I have to keep working. 

5. This may be the first big opportunity for Asian football to achieve a great result. Japan has already made a mark in Russia, and do you see a time when Asian football will be able to lift a World Cup? 

Certainly, even though I didn't participate, I saw the World Cup in Russia on TV, and I think Japan played a great role, it was a pity the elimination against Belgium. I think that not only Japan, but all Asian football is also getting better in the last years, growing and there are more and more Asian players playing in the big leagues. I think the World Cup is a very special tournament, and you never really know what might happen, even though an Asian team has never made it to a final. It's not only in Qatar that we always believe in our chances, and we fight to give our all, always aiming for the top. It would be a great honour for me to play the next World Cup with Japan. 

6. You've played alongside three world champions like Iniesta, Villa and Podolski. What's it like to play with them? Any funny or curious anecdote with them... 

I feel really lucky to have met three world-class players like Andres, David or Lukas, and to still be able to share a dressing room with Andres. For me it's been like a treasure, a very precious time. They are players that I admire and respect, not only on the field but also off it, as people. I've learned a lot from them, and it's an honour for me to still be able to train and play with Andres. They have taught me a lot about football and life, for example nobody likes to lose of course, but when I trained with them I realized how competitive players of that level really are, they don't like to lose.

Are you attracted to European football? Would you like to play there? What do you find most appealing? 

I love European football, and my ultimate goal is to play in Europe. As a striker, I pay a lot of attention to the way I attack, combine, define in front of goal, and I can keep learning. The tactics, the way you organise yourself are also a little different. 

8. I've seen some photos of your early days on dirt pitches. What is formative football like in Japan? What memories do you have of your early years? Which coach has influenced you the most? What do you recommend to youngsters who are inspired by you? 

Yes, that's right! I played a lot on dirt fields. I have a lot of memories, rainy days, rough fields... I think all the players have been through that. It all seems so far away now, but I really enjoyed it. I have great memories, playing as a kid with a lot of cold in the winter, a lot of heat in the summer... but it was really fun and I think it was a great experience for me. My personal experience is that I was able to enjoy football from a very early age and I grew up without forgetting how to continue enjoying it.

The coach who has had the biggest impact on me is Takeshi Oki, during my time at FC Gifu. From my first year in, he really taught me the best, he marked a before and after in my life as a footballer. Something changed inside me, and he taught me to bring out the best in myself. I can only thank him.

First of all, I want to thank the young people who are looking at me. What I can say is that even if they go through difficult times, they should never give up, they should continue to play and enjoy football, even if they find walls that seem insurmountable if they persist the results are wonderful. I went through a lot of obstacles to get where I am, and there are many more to come in my career as a footballer, so I would say that we are going to continue to work hard together. 

9. Any childhood idols that inspired you? Was it more Mark Lenders or Oliver Atom?

I remember Ronaldinho as my great football idol. I remember that when I was in primary school, there was a Club World Cup here in Japan that Barça played, and I was really impressed by Ronaldinho.

10. Do you think that this series has created prejudices about Japanese football and that it may have affected it a little at international level? For a long time, the series was better known than the football there... 

Was it? I've never really thought about it, I've never thought about it like that [laughs].