Shinji Okazaki
Who was Shinji Okazaki?
Japanese striker who scored the winning goal for Leicester City in their 2016 Premier League title campaign. He has been a regular scorer for the Japan national team since 2008.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Shinji Okazaki (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Shinji Okazaki (岡崎 慎司, Okazaki Shinji; born 16 April 1986) is a Japanese former professional footballer and current manager, best known for his part in Leicester City's 2015-16 Premier League title win. Born in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, Okazaki became one of Japan's top strikers, known for his sharp finishing both at home and internationally. He played football across several continents, showing his ability to adapt and succeed in different football cultures.
Okazaki started his professional career in Japan before moving to European football, where he found the most success. He was recognized for his smart play, relentless energy, and ability to score important goals. During Leicester City's remarkable Premier League victory, Okazaki was key in their attack, scoring a decisive goal that helped secure one of football's biggest upsets.
Internationally, Okazaki was a mainstay for the Japan national team. After earning his first cap in 2008, he became one of Japan's most dependable scorers, amassing 50 international goals and becoming Japan's third all-time leading scorer. This highlights his consistent performance over more than ten years, during which he played in several major tournaments for Japan.
After retiring from professional play, Okazaki stepped into management and is now the manager of FC Basara Mainz. This move shows his ongoing passion for football and his wish to pass on his extensive knowledge to future players. His appointment as a coach is a new phase in his football journey, letting him use the tactical know-how and leadership skills he gathered during his playing years.
Before Fame
Growing up in Takarazuka during the late 1980s and early 1990s, Okazaki came of age during a time when Japanese football was rapidly growing and becoming more professional. The start of the J-League in 1993, when Okazaki was seven years old, changed domestic football significantly and gave young Japanese players new chances to develop their skills in a professional setting.
Okazaki's rise to fame happened alongside Japan's growing presence in international football, highlighted by the country co-hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup with South Korea. During this period, Japanese players started making successful moves to European leagues, creating paths that Okazaki would later choose. His growth took place when Japanese football was becoming more respected globally, which gave him role models and realistic goals for achieving international success.
Key Achievements
- Premier League winner with Leicester City (2015-16)
- Japan's third all-time leading goalscorer with 50 international goals
- Scored the winning goal during Leicester City's title-winning campaign
- Represented Japan in three FIFA World Cup tournaments
- 119 appearances for the Japan national team spanning over a decade
Did You Know?
- 01.He scored Japan's opening goal in their 2-1 victory over Colombia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, contributing to one of the tournament's biggest upsets
- 02.Okazaki was the first Japanese player to score in a Premier League title-winning campaign when Leicester City claimed the 2015-16 championship
- 03.He played for VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga before joining Leicester City, making him one of the few players to have competed in both German and English top divisions
- 04.His 50 international goals came from 119 appearances for Japan, spanning over a decade of national team service
- 05.Okazaki scored in three consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments (2010, 2014, 2018), demonstrating remarkable consistency at the highest level