Takefusa Kubo, Virgil Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Frenkie de Jong... The match between Japan and the Netherlands, while not a highlight of the World Cup's group stage, brought together top-level players who are stars in leading European leagues. However, all eyes were on the man guarding the Japanese goal: Zion Suzuki, who with three key interventions kept his team alive to secure the final 2-2 score.
Suzuki, except for Serie A followers, was a complete unknown until yesterday. But the current Parma goalkeeper has been showcasing his skills in Italy for two seasons now. Despite his stature at 1.90 meters tall, he stands out for his agility and reflexes in goal, as he demonstrated in his World Cup debut yesterday.
Suzuki made his debut with the national team in 2022, but did not make the final cut for Qatar. That season, 22/23, marked his last with Urawa Reds Diamonds, where despite not being a regular starter, he achieved all possible collective titles: the Japanese Cup, the local Super Cup, and the Asian Champions League. His limited but convincing performances earned him a ticket to play in Europe. First stop, Belgium, where he guarded the goal for Sint-Truidense for a season. Parma, impressed by his abilities, did not hesitate to secure his services.
The Belgian team made a great deal with Suzuki: they bought him for 4 million euros in 2023 and sold him at the end of the season for 8.2 million euros. Everything indicates that, if he maintains his current level, Parma will soon see a return on their investment. His current value on Transfermarkt is 20 million euros. And rising.
Suzuki represents Japan, but it was not his only option initially. Although raised in Urawa, he was born in Newark, United States, in 2002. In addition to his mother's Japanese heritage, his father is of Ghanaian descent. Therefore, while he had no doubts about choosing the Land of the Rising Sun, any option could have led him to play in this World Cup.
Aerial security, footwork, quick reflexes... With Suzuki, who turns 24 in August, it seems that Japan has their goalkeeping position secured for the next decade. A tall, modern goalkeeper with the necessary attributes to soon play for a top European club. On the national team front, he faces the challenging task of succeeding Eiji Kawashima, who guarded Japan's goal in three World Cups (South Africa, Brazil, and Russia). He was even in Qatar, although he did not play a single minute. Four World Cups are quite an achievement. But for Suzuki, this being his first, he couldn't have started any better.