[Exclusive Interview]Keisuke Goto, Japan National Soccer Team | What is the “pride” the youngest feels from the oldest? Experience the “difference from the rest of the world” and deepen your passion for the World Cup! The scene of the triumphant return to the hometown immediately after returning to Japan![Mina Sports]

On June 30, 2026, the Japanese national team lost 1-2 to Brazil in the first match of the final tournament of the Soccer World Cup in North and Central America, and disappeared in the round of 32. Keisuke Goto, a Hamamatsu City native and former Jubilo Iwata player, competed in the tournament as the youngest player on the Japanese national team. On July 3, the day after returning from the United States, Goto appeared at his alma mater, Hikima Junior High School. On this day, Goto was invited to a lecture at his alma mater and shared his experience at the World Cup with junior high school students. The next day, he visited Kawai Physical Education Classroom SC, a club team he belonged to when he was in elementary school. After returning home, he put aside his fatigue and spent about two hours chasing the ball with his juniors on the club team in “serious mode.” Afterwards, Goto gave an exclusive interview to Minatsu Sports, where he talked about the “difference from the rest of the world” he felt at the World Cup, and his passion for the World Cup that has deepened because he experienced it firsthand. Goto also said that he was greatly inspired by Yuto Nagatomo, the oldest player on the Japanese national team and a participant in five consecutive World Cups. He says that he had the “pride for the national team” that was reflected in Nagatomo’s behavior and the “determination” to inherit that pride. We are looking forward to the future of Goto, who moved to SC Freiburg in Germany’s first division this season.[Broadcast date]Saturday, July 11, 2026 Broadcast on “Minaspo”. https://www.at-s.com/sbstv/program/minaspo/