His season, preparations for the season, the Centenary… Exclusive interview with Takumi Minamino

He has just had his best season in his career. Rewarded for his performances by the AS Monaco supporters, who voted him as the team’s MVP (9 goals, 6 assists in Ligue 1), Takumi Minamino has finally taken flight with the Rouge et Blanc. Having become one of the technical leaders of Adi Hütter’s team, the Japanese international (59 caps, 21 goals) took the time to speak with us in the middle of the team’s training camp in Austria.🎙️

Hello Takumi. To start, how do you feel since you started training again?

First of all, I’m happy to be back and to have started training again, especially with this training camp in Austria. It’s a new season that’s starting and I’m really excited, especially with the return to the Champions League. It will obviously be a difficult exercise, but above all an opportunity to achieve great things. We are back in the biggest competition, and that is great!

You played in Salzburg at the beginning of your European career. How do you feel coming back to Austria?

It’s always special to be back here! I lived in Austria for five years, and I always felt like it was my second home. It really feels like I’m coming back home. Especially since our facilities are great here, we can see the mountains from our hotel. So I’m really happy to be here. It was my first experience in Europe, I was only 18, so I have many memories here.

Can you explain to us the importance of a training camp?

It is essential to train hard, in order to be ready for a season that promises to be long and difficult. So we do physically demanding sessions, but we show good things. Sometimes we can have the feeling that it is “too much”, especially this year, but it is what we need to last a whole season.

Do you feel like you have new responsibilities in the group, as a leader?

Yes, but I am not the only one! Other players have the necessary experience to take their share of responsibility. I am one of them, but personally I do not want to think about it too much. I am just focused on what I have to do for the team and on my football.

Speaking of leaders, can you talk about your relationship with Aleksandr Golovin, on and off the pitch?

Since I’ve been in Monaco, I’ve had some great times with Golo’, both on the pitch and in life. I really feel connected with him, we create a lot of chance. He’s an attacking player with a lot of talent! And I’m not the only one who really enjoys playing alongside him, because he gives very good passes, leads play from the front and thinks in terms of football. He’s very intelligent.

You completed the best statistical year of your career in 2023-2024. Are you proud of what you accomplished?

Yes of course, even if I always want to do better! It wasn’t a perfect season, like the whole team will say, but finishing second and getting a place in the Champions League was a great achievement. In any case, personally, I feel like I helped my teammates a lot more than in my first season here.

I’m happy about that, but now I just want to forget this season and focus only on the next one. The 2024-2025 season will be even tougher, with big opponents in Europe, so I want to show again that I can be important for the team.

Do you think you needed some time to adapt to fully appreciate your talent?

When I arrived, there were many reasons why I couldn’t help the team as much as I would have liked. I wasn’t fit enough because I hadn’t participated in the preseason. That’s why I worked hard last summer, even during my holidays, to be in top shape. And I hope it will be the same this season.

What impact did coach Adi Hütter have on your return to form?

He’s also one of the reasons why I’m playing well, that’s for sure! Tactically, he’s changed a lot of things, and I find myself more in tune with his football philosophy.

Last season, when did you think we were going to finish at the top?

It’s hard to say. I don’t really know, given that we only secured our Champions League qualification on the penultimate matchday. And then we had a run of five very important games, against Rennes, Brest, Lille and Lyon. It was tense until the end, so I couldn’t say when exactly.

You, in any case, scored an incredibly important goal against Lens. How did you feel when you scored it?

Before I scored, we had conceded two goals that brought Lens back to 2-2. We played the last ten minutes, and when we conceded the second goal, I really told myself that it was going to be complicated. And at the same time, we had to win, to keep our place on the podium!

So I changed my mindset, telling myself that we could create at least two chances. And then, I scored! After that, the feeling was incredible. That’s what I wanted to experience, to score such an important goal for the team, and to celebrate it with our supporters who were there in large numbers!

The fans chose Denis Zakaria’s goal in the Derby as the most beautiful of the season, just in front of yours by the way…

He also scored an extraordinary goal, it was deserved!

On ne s'en lasse pas 🤤 pic.twitter.com/3sAK27jkSU

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) February 12, 2024

Personally, you were named best player of the season by these same AS Monaco supporters. What does that mean to you?

I have to say that I am really proud of that! As a player, it is always gratifying to receive an award. I always felt that our supporters were behind us, helping us, and giving us that extra energy to win. It is really a great feeling.

Would you say that you are in the form of your career today?

(He smiles) I hope so! In any case, I want to continue to be as decisive, every season, and I keep my fingers crossed that this 2024-2025 season will be another memorable one for me.

How do you feel about returning to the Champions League, which you have already played in the past?

I am really excited to play this great competition again, especially with AS Monaco, who, in my opinion, should be playing in it every time. It has been six years now since the Club has experienced this, and I am happy to be part of the team that has put this institution back on the front of the stage. So I just want to enjoy this season!

It is already a season to celebrate with Centenry of AS Monaco. Is this additional motivation for you?

Yes, of course! It will be special for us to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this great club. And so it is the perfect time to bring the Club back to the Champions League and do something special there.

Are there any teams you would like to face?

(He thinks) Liverpool? Yes, why not. But I would say Real Madrid or Manchester City, because they are currently the best teams in the world. Liverpool is also one of the biggest clubs. But I really want to face Real Madrid! And then if Salzburg manages to get through the qualifiers, it would also be a pleasure to meet them again.

Do you think we have a team that is built to do great things this season?

That’s for sure! During the training camp, I have seen a lot of players who were hungry, who wanted to prove things and show that they are fired up for this new season. So yes, I think we have the means to do something.

Why do you feel so comfortable now at AS Monaco and in the city?

Monaco is one of the greatest teams in Ligue 1, with a rich history and many titles. It’s an incredible club, in an extraordinary city! I’m proud to be part of this team, because I really feel at home here.

There’s a great atmosphere at the Club, everyone is nice, and I feel like we’re a big family. And for me it’s the most important thing to perform, the atmosphere in the group!

To talk a little bit about Japan, what are your next goals with the national team?

We have started the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, so that is the main goal we have in mind. We have difficult opponents in Asia, with Saudi Arabia and Australia among the best nations. So it will not be easy, but we are ready to fight to get our qualification.

Several Japanese players are now playing in Ligue 1. How do you see that?

There are currently four of us playing in the French top flight defending the colours of our country. It’s great, but I’d like to see even more compatriots join Ligue 1, it would be good for Japanese football!

A last word for the AS Monaco fans?

First of all, I would like to say THANK YOU to them for coming to the stadium to give us this extra energy that we need! Next season will be incredible, with many matches and big opponents.

We must fight all together with our fans to make them proud, so I would like to see as many people as possible at the Stade Louis-II, as well as on the road where the atmosphere is always exceptional. Let’s do something great together! 🇲🇨