Gaku Shibasaki: Real Madrid shocked by Kashima Antlers ace’s brace – here’s all you need to know about ‘Japanese Andres Iniesta’
Midfielder wrote his name in the history books with two goals against star-studded Los Blancos in Club World Cup final
GAKU SHIBASAKI is the man of the moment.
The Kashima Antlers star stole the headlines off Cristiano Ronaldo after netting TWICE against Real Madrid in the 2016 Club World Cup final in Yokohama.
But just who is this mystery man dubbed the ‘Japanese Andres Iniesta’?
Here, SunSport reveals all you need to know about world football’s current talk of the town.
Name: Gaku Shibasaki
Age: 24
Club: Kashima Antlers
Country: Japan
Height: 5'7"
Position: CM, DM, CAM, CF
Foot: Right
Shirt No: 10
Specialities: Passing, long shots
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SHIBASAKI was already one of Japan’s most revered footballers, but he is now set to become a household name after dismantling Los Blancos goalie Keylor Navas.
The technical playmaker can play in a variety of positions through the middle and started the game against Real as a centre forward, despite spending a lot of his time in this season’s J-League as a deep-lying midfielder.
Shibasaki helped himself to four goals and 11 assists back home during 2016, and has been compared to Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta on account of his pinpoint passes and influential presence in the middle of the park.
The 24-year-old made his name as the No.10 for Aomori Yamada High School before landing a contract with Kashima Antlers in 2011.
A year later Shibasaki was named MVP at the Nabisco Cup finals before going on to be crowned Best Young Player of 2012.
He has already racked up 13 caps for Japan’s national side and he is sure to be attracting interest from abroad while basking in the limelight.
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ANY PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS WHO COULD DO WITH HIM?
HE might be some way off playing for one of England’s ‘top four’ sides, but Shibasaki could certainly do a job for upper and mid-table teams.
He could be just the man to replace Ross Barkley behind Romelu Lukaku at Everton, and could also provide the missing link needed in midfield for flagging champions Leicester.
Regardless of his future, Shibasaki’s profile has most definitely been raised following his exploits against Real.
His Facebook page has just 122 likes as of this moment but they are sure to rise fast in the near future.