J-League football champions Vissel Kobe said Tuesday they have extended the contract of last year's most valuable player and joint top scorer Yuya Osako until 2026.
Vissel are even considering a further extension for the 33-year-old striker, who led Kobe to their first top-flight title, in 2023. The team will face Lionel Messi's Major League Soccer club, Inter Miami, on Wednesday in a preseason match at Tokyo's National Stadium.
"The good results we achieved last year were a big factor," Osako said of his contract extension in an online interview. "I can still grow with this team."
On the team's goal of being a perennial title contender, he said, "I'll make the difference on the pitch first. I also want to pass on my experience to younger players."
Osako played for Japan at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups before missing out on the 2022 tournament.
The J-League has decided to move the start of its season from February to August, beginning with the 2026-2027 season, aiming to align the J-League calendar with top competitions in Europe.
